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John La Montaine
A graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, John La Montaine showed early promise of musical genius giving many piano recitals throughout his teen years. After his naval service during WWII, he studied with Howard Hansen at Eastman School of Music, Wagenaar at Julliard School of Music, and Boulanger in Paris, who encouraged him to turn his talents to composing. Subsequently, he was a pianist with the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Toscanini and taught at the Eastman School of Music. He has been the recipient of two Guggenheim Fellowships. In 1958, the Ford Foundation commissioned “Concerto For Piano and Orchestra, Opus 9,” for which he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. He wrote the first work ever commissioned in honor of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. Among other operas, he was commissioned by Penn State University to write an opera based on the American Revolution for the Bicentennial Celebration of 1976. A growing interest in the sounds of nature has led to their inclusion in later works. John La Montaine now lives and works in Hollywood, CA. |
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