Edward MacDowell (1860-1908); USA

MacDowell, Edward (Alexander) (b NY, 1860; d NY, 1908). Amer. composer and pianist. Teacher of pf., Darmstadt Cons. 1881. In 1882 visited Liszt at Weimar; on Liszt's recommendation, First Modern Suite for pf. and 1st pf. conc. were pubd. From 1885 to 1888 lived at Wiesbaden. Returned to USA 1888, settling in Boston. Soloist in f.p. of 2nd pf. conc., NY 1889. First head of mus. dept., Columbia Univ., NY, 1896-1904. His mus. is romantic in style and charmingly melodic. The MacDowell Colony in Peterboro, New Hampshire, where composers and other artists can work peacefully, was founded in his memory. Prin. works:

ORCH.: sym.-poems Hamlet and Ophelia (1885), Lancelot and Elaine (1886), Lamia (1887-8), Suite No.1 (1888-93), No.2 (Indian) (1891-5).

CONCERTOS: pf., No.1 in A minor (1882), No.2 in D minor (1884-6); Romance, vc., orch. (1888).

PIANO: 1st Modern Suite (1880-1), 2nd Modern Suite (1882-3); Forest Idyls (1884); Idyls (1887, rev. as 6 Idyls After Goethe, 1901); 12 Studies (1890); Sonatas: Tragica (1893), Eroica (1895), Norse (1900), Keltic (1900); 12 Virtuoso Studies (1894); 10 Woodland Sketches (1896, No.1 is To a Wild Rose); 8 Sea Pieces (1898); 6 Fireside Tales (1902); 10 New England Idyls (1902).Also many songs, part-songs, arrangements, and works pubd. under pseudonym Edgar Thorn.

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