McDonnell, Donald (Raymond)

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McDonnell, Donald (Raymond)

McDonnell, Donald (Raymond) , American composer and teacher; b. Helena, Mont., Feb. 14, 1952. He studied saxophone and gained practical experience as a jazz player and arranger. He pursued his education at the Berklee Coll. of Music (B.Mus., 1975), Boston Univ. (M.Mus., 1982), and Brandeis Univ. (Ph.D., 1987), his principal composition mentors being Imbrie, Del Tredici, Berger, and Boykan. In 1975 he joined the faculty of the Berklee Coll. of Music.

Works

Sonata for Alto Flute and Guitar (1982); The Road Not Taken for Soprano and Piano (1982); Introduction and Fanfare for 7 Brass and 2 Percussion Instruments (1982); Concertino for Alto Saxophone and Orch. (1982); A Warm Tension From the Curved Line for Piano (1983); Saxophone Quartet (1984); Parvis Mundi for Piano (1985); Nexus/Dreamscape for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano (1986); Wall Music, computer-realized music synthesis (1987); Flow Gently Sweet Afton for Chorus (1987); Psalm XL for Chorus, Brass Quintet, and Organ (1988); Midwinter Sauna for Soprano and Piano (1989).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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