Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Birth

:

September 18, 1953 in Bryn Mawr, PA

Death

:

February 14, 2009 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

John McGlinn was a renowned conductor, musicologist, and pianist who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on September 18, 1953, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, McGlinn showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He went on to study music at the University of Pennsylvania and later at the Manhattan School of Music. McGlinn's career in music began in the 1970s when he worked as a rehearsal pianist for the New York City Opera. He quickly gained recognition for his talent and was soon appointed as the assistant conductor for the company. McGlinn's work with the New York City Opera allowed him to work with some of the most talented singers and musicians in the industry, and he quickly gained a reputation for his ability to bring out the best in his performers. In the 1980s, McGlinn began to focus on conducting and made his debut with the New York City Opera in 1985. He went on to conduct numerous productions for the company, including the critically acclaimed production of Jerome Kern's "Show Boat" in 1988. McGlinn's work on "Show Boat" was particularly noteworthy, as he used the original orchestrations and vocal arrangements from the show's 1927 premiere, which had not been heard in over 50 years. McGlinn's success with "Show Boat" led to other opportunities, and he soon began conducting for other opera companies and orchestras around the world. He conducted productions for the English National Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera, among others. McGlinn was also a frequent guest conductor for the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. One of McGlinn's most significant contributions to the world of classical music was his work on the complete recordings of the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein. McGlinn was a passionate advocate for the preservation of original orchestrations and vocal arrangements, and he believed that the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein had been poorly served by the many revivals and adaptations that had been produced over the years. In 1988, McGlinn began work on a complete recording of "Show Boat," using the original orchestrations and vocal arrangements from the show's 1927 premiere. The recording was a critical and commercial success, and it led to McGlinn's next project: a complete recording of "Oklahoma!" using the original orchestrations and vocal arrangements from the show's 1943 premiere. The recording of "Oklahoma!" was released in 1990 and was another critical and commercial success. McGlinn went on to record complete versions of "Carousel," "South Pacific," and "The King and I," all using the original orchestrations and vocal arrangements. These recordings were groundbreaking in their attention to detail and historical accuracy, and they helped to establish McGlinn as one of the most important figures in the world of musical theater. In addition to his work as a conductor and musicologist, McGlinn was also a talented pianist. He frequently performed as a soloist and chamber musician, and he was known for his interpretations of the music of George Gershwin and other American composers. McGlinn's career was cut short when he died of cancer on February 14, 2009, at the age of 55. However, his contributions to the world of classical music continue to be celebrated and remembered. In 2010, a posthumous recording of "Annie Get Your Gun," conducted by McGlinn, was released to critical acclaim.

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