John Maynard La Montaine, also later LaMontaine, (March 17, 1920 – April 29, 2013) was an American pianist and composer, born in Oak Park, Illinois, who won the 1959 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his Piano Concerto No. 1 "In Time of War" (1958), which was premiered by Jorge Bolet.
His teachers included Howard Hanson, Bernard Rogers, and Nadia Boulanger. His works have been performed by Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman, Adele Addison, Donald Gramm, Robert Silverman, Eleanor Steber and Jorge Bolet.
In honor of the American Bicentennial celebration in 1976, he was commissioned to create a choral work for the Penn State Institute for Arts and Humanistic Studies. The opera, entitled Be Glad Then America, was performed by the University Choirs, under the direction of Sarah Caldwell. The folk singer Odetta appeared as the Muse for America.
La Montaine lived in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. His publishing company, Fredonia Press, is named for the street on which he lived. His business partner was the composer and pianist Paul J. Sifler (1911–2001).
Novellis, Novellis, a Pageant Opera for narrator, soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 31 (1961); libretto adapted by the composer from the Bible, 2 medieval miracle plays, and the Latin liturgy. Premiered December 2, 1962 in Cleveland's Church of the Covenant, followed by performances two days later in New York City's Riverside Church in a Union Theological Seminary production, players included Mac Morgan, Stanley Kole, Maria Di Garlando, Ara Berberian, Charles Bressler, Naomi Farr, and Elaine Bonazzi.
The Shephardes Playe, a Pagaent Opera for Christmas, Op. 38 (1967); libretto adapted by the composer from 4 medieval Corpus Christi plays; televised in 1968
Erode the Greate, a Pageant Opera in 2 acts, Op. 40 (1969); libretto adapted by the composer from the Bible, medieval miracle plays, and the Latin liturgy
Be Glad Then, America, a Decent Entertainment from the Thirteen Colonies, Op. 43 (1974–75); libretto by the composer from historical sources
Canons, Op. 10a (1965); original version for piano solo
Recitative, Aria, and Finale for string orchestra, Op. 16a (1965)
Jubilant Overture, Op. 20 (1959)
Colloquy for string orchestra, Op. 21 (1965)
Passacaglia and Fugue for string orchestra, Op. 21a
Let My Beloved Come into His Garden, Interlude from The Song of Songs, Op. 29a (1965); adapted from the song cycle Fragments from the Song of Songs, Op. 29
From Sea to Shining Sea, Overture, Op. 30 (1961)
A Summer's Day, a Sonnet for chamber orchestra, Op. 32 (1962); after a sonnet of William Shakespeare; also arranged for piano
Five Sonnets after Shakespeare (1974); original for voice and piano
Incantation for jazz band, Op. 39 (1968)