About the author: Dr. McGinnis holds a D.M.A. from the University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, a M.M. and a B.M. from University of Montana, Missoula, Montana. She is currently an Associate Professor at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.
2004 0-7734-6432-8 John La Montaine is known primarily for his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Opus 9, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1959. In addition, he has won countless awards for composition. However, his compositions for voice and piano are not yet an established part of the vocal solo repertoire.
This work illustrates La Montaine’s music for voice and piano through an analysis of musical and dramatic elements that support the text and drama. A biographical study provides details about the composer’s life such as musical training, personal influences, awards and goals. In addition, the issues of philosophy, creativity, methods, musical styles, and textual considerations are discussed and are the basis for the following analysis.