Biographical Note
John Pierce Langs (1882-1967) was an American pianist, composer, and lawyer born in Niagara Falls, New York. He studied with composer and pianist Georg Liebling in Germany (1897-1898). Upon his return to the United States, Langs enrolled at Columbia University and began his studies with Edward MacDowell. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Langs graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in music in 1902. In 1904, after teaching theory and music appreciation at the University of Colorado (1902-1903), Langs returned to New York to resume his lessons with MacDowell as a private student; these continued until MacDowell's death in 1908.
Langs studied law at the University of Buffalo and worked as a lawyer from 1908 until his 1920 marriage to Mary Metcalf, after which he retired from the legal field and focused on his music. His compositions include works for piano, piano duets, chamber music, and songs. During World War II, Langs frequently performed on radio shows hosted by pianist Harold Bradley. Langs composed and traveled extensively with his wife until his 1967 death in Niagara Falls, New York.