Lo Presti, Ronald

Lo Presti, Ronald, American composer; b. Williamstown, Mass., Oct. 28, 1933; d. Tempe, Ariz., Oct. 25, 1985. He studied composition with Mennini and Rogers at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. (M.M., 1956), and subsequently was engaged as a clarinet teacher in public schools; in 1964 he was appointed an instructor in theory at Ariz. State Univ. in Tempe. He obtained popular success with his score The Masks (1955), which was commissioned for the space exhibit at the aerospace building at the Smithsonian Inst. in Washington, D.C.

Works

dramatic: The Birthday, opera (1962; Winfield, May 1962); Playback, children’s opera (Tucson, Ariz., Dec. 18, 1970). orch.:The Masks (Rochester, N.Y., May 8, 1955); Nocturne for Small Orch. (1955–56); Nocturne for Viola and String Orch. (1959); Kansas Overture (1960); Kanza Suite (1961); Llano estacado (The Staked Plain; 1961); Port Triumphant (1962); 2 syms. (1966, 1968); From the Southwest (1967); Rhapsody for Marimba, Vibraphone, and Orch. (1975). symphonic band:Pageant (1956); Prelude (1959); Introduction, Chorale and Jubilee (1961); Tundra (1967); A Festive Music (1968). chamber:Suite for 8 Horns (1952); Sketch for Percussion (1956); Suite for 4 Horns (1958); 5 Pieces for Violin and Piano (1960); Scherzo for Violin Quartet (1960); Chorale for 3 Tubas (1960); Fanfare for 38 Brasses (1960); Requiescat for Brass Ensemble (1961); Suite for 5 Trumpets (1961); Miniature for Brass Quartet (1962); Rondo for Timpani and Piano (1969); Trio for 3 Percussionists (1971); String Quartet (1970); Suite for 6 Bassoons (1971); Fantasy for 5 Horns (1972); Cantalena for Cello Orch. (1972); Wind Quintet (1975). vocal:Alleluia for Chorus, Brass, and Timpani (1960); Kanza for 4 Narrators, Chorus, and Orch. (1961); Tribute for Chorus and Orch. and/or Band (1962); Scarecrow for Children’s Ballet Co., Mixed Voices, and Cello Orch. (1973); Ode to Independence for Baritone, Chorus, and Band (1974); Requiem for Chorus and Orch. (1975); Memorials for Chorus and Orch. (1975); choruses; songs.