Macdowell Literature
MacDowell’s Critical and Historical Essays (Lectures delivered at Columbia University), referred to earlier in this book, are published in America by Arthur P. Schmidt and in England by Macmillan & Co., Ltd. His Verses, a book of beautiful poetic inspirations, is published solely by Arthur P. Schmidt. An enthusiastic study of MacDowell, by Lawrence Gilman, an American musical critic, is published by John Lane & Co., in New York and London. Arthur P. Schmidt & Elkin & Co. stock all three books.
Edgar Thorn Pieces
The following pieces were published by MacDowell under the pseudonym of Edgar Thorn. He stipulated that the royalties resulting from their sale should be paid to a nurse who was at one time needed in his household. They are mature pieces, although slight in form.
Amourette, for Pianoforte
This is a charming piece, published separately. It is characteristic, although not deeply inspired.
Forgotten Fairy Tales, for Pianoforte
1.Sung Outside the Prince’s Door.
2. Of a Tailor and a Bear.
3. Beauty in the Rose-Garden.
4. From Dwarf-land.
These trifles are of a refined and genuinely poetical order, possessing all the composer’s suggestive tone poetry in a light garb.
1. Sung Outside the Prince’s Door (Softly, wistfully). This opens with a tender and expressive theme. The middle section, Pleadingly, is described by this indication. Altogether, the piece is a little gem, full of sweet and wistful expressiveness.
2. Of a Tailor and a Bear (Gaily, pertly). This is a fanciful little piece, the antics of the bear being happily suggested. The tunes are lively and the whole thing has a delightful old-world atmosphere about it. Some of the marks of expression are very characteristic, including, Growlingly, clumsily, etc.
3.Beauty in the Rose-Garden (Not fast; sweetly and simply). A pleading little theme opens this number. The middle section, indicated Well marked, almost roughly, has a touch of passion in its feeling. The resumption of the opening tune is marked Sadly, and the piece concludes rather beautifully, with great tenderness.
4. From Dwarf-land (Merrily, quaintly). This opens with a merry theme, and is full of quaint and delightful little touches.
Two Pieces, in Lilting Rhythm, for Pianoforte
These two pieces are explained by their titles and are of little importance.
Six Fancies, for Pianoforte
1. A Tin Soldier’s Love.
2.To a Humming Bird.
3. Summer Song.
4. Across Fields.
5. Bluette.
6. An Elfin Round.
This is a characteristic album, the pieces in it being imaginative and suggestive, in tone poetry, of their subjects, although not of the composer’s deepest inspiration.
1.A Tin Soldier’s Love (Gently, with Feeling). This little piece opens with a sweet and simple theme, followed by a toy-like march tune, and these make up the material of the piece.
2. To a Humming Bird (As fast and light as possible). There is nothing very striking about this piece. It is imaginative, and when played at the required speed, with lightness of touch, is effective. It has been arranged as a violin solo with pianoforte accompaniment.
3. Summer Song (Not fast). This is characteristic of MacDowell in its clear-sounding harmonies, and has a certain charm and fragrance of its own.
4. Across Fields (Lightly and joyously). This piece opens with a happy and characteristic tune. The whole atmosphere suggested in its two pages is singularly bright, sunny and fresh.
5. Bluette (Gracefully). This is the most MacDowell-like piece of the Six Fancies, some of its rich harmonies and characteristic key transitions being reminiscent of the composer’s finer work.
6. An Elfin Round (Very swift and light). The full effect of this piece can only be felt if it is played at a great speed, with extreme lightness of touch. The feeling is not very deep, as the occasion does not demand it, but it is a fanciful and suggestive little creation.
Part-Songs
(Published under the Pseudonym of Edgar Thorn.)
The Witch.
War Song.
The Rose and the Gardener.
Love and Time.
All Published by Arthur P. Schmidt.
These part-songs are extremely interesting and effective, particularly in the MacDowell-like manner in which they convey musical suggestions of their literary content.