MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - David Maslanka, a composer who was renowned for his music written for wind ensembles, has died in his Montana home at age 73.
His son, Matthew Maslanka, says his father died Sunday night after suffering from colon cancer.
Matthew Maslanka wrote on his father's website that David Maslanka's health declined rapidly after his wife, Alison, died in July.
Maslanka wrote more than 150 works, including 50 pieces for wind ensembles, eight symphonies and 17 concertos.
University of Montana School of Music Director Maxine Ramey says Maslanka was a leading composer of the symphonic wind ensemble.
His works have been included in more than 50 recordings and performed around the world.
Maslanka was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1943.
He moved to Montana to compose music full time in 1990.