Chapter 3

7. _Gigue_ (_Loeilly_).

8. _La Bersan_ (_Couperin_).

9. _L'Ausonienne_ (_Couperin_).

10. _Aria from Handel's_ "_Susanna_" (_Lavignac_).

11. _Gigue_ (_Graun_).

These pieces were much used by MacDowell in his lessons, as illustrations of eighteenth century music, and were published in two books about a dozen years after his death. They have not met with unanimous approval, for his transcriptions of the old pieces for the harpsichord and clavichord, in a manner suited to the modern pianoforte, is considered by many purists to be too free. The fact is that in their original form they are quite unsuitable for the modern pianoforte, being far too slight. MacDowell has, for many of us, done the right thing by filling in their implied harmonies and otherwise bringing out their qualities, so that they may be done justice under present-day keyboard conditions.

TWO SONGS FROM THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY, FOR MALE CHORUS.

_First Published_, 1897 (Arthur P. Schmidt).

1. _Winter Wraps his Grimmest Spell_.

2. _As the Gloaming Shadows Creep_.

These are two effective male-voice choruses. The first number being a setting of MacDowell's lines after Nithart, and the second of verses by the composer, inspired by Frauenlob. These latter beautiful lines were also used in number four of the _Four Songs, Op. 56_.

MacDowell composed three part-songs for Female-Voice Choir. They have no opus numbers and are entitled:--

_Summer Wind_. _Two College Songs:

1. Alma Mater.

2. At Parting_.

They are well written and effective, the _College Songs_ being particularly interesting, while _Summer Wind_ has one of the composer's beloved nature subjects as its inspiration. Published by Arthur P. Schmidt.

In addition to the _Six Little Sketches_ on pieces by Bach, and the pieces contained in the albums entitled _From the Eighteenth Century_, MacDowell also revised and edited for the pianoforte the following compositions:--

Alkan-MacDowell, _Perpetual Motion_. Cui, _Cradle Song_. Dubois, _Sketch_. Geisler, _Episode_. Geisler, _Pastorale_. Geisler, _The Princess Ilse_. Glinka-Balakirev, _The Lark_. Huber, _Intermezzo_. Lacombe, _Etude_. Liszt, _Eclogue_. Liszt, _Impromptu_. Martucci, _Improviso_. Moszkowski, _Air de Ballet_. Moszkowski, _Etincelles_. Pierné, _Allegro Scherzando_. Pierné, _Cradle Song_. Pierné, _Improvista_. Reinhold, _Impromptu_. Rimsky-Korsakov, _Romance in A flat_. Stcherbatcheff, _Orientate_. Ten Brink, _Gavotte in E minor_. Van Westerhout, _Gavotte in A_. Van Westerhout, _Momenta Capriccioso_.

All Published by Arthur P. Schmidt.

The following compositions were arranged for Male-Voice Choir by MacDowell:--

Beines, _Spring Song_. Borodine, _Serenade_. Filke, _The Brook and the Nightingale_. Moniuszko, _The Cossack_. Rimsky-Korsakov, _Folk Song_. Sokolow, _Spring_. Sokolow, _From Siberia_. Von Holstein, _Bonnie Katrine_. Von Woss, _Under Flowering Branches_.

All Published by Arthur P. Schmidt.

MacDowell also wrote _Technical Exercises for the Pianoforte_ (_2 Books_), in addition to the Studies comprising Ops. 39 and 46. They were at one time obtainable from Arthur P. Schmidt.

TRANSCRIPTIONS.

A number of well-known MacDowell pianoforte pieces have been transcribed for other instruments. The transcriptions are all published by Arthur P. Schmidt, and are as follows:--

ORGAN.

SIX TRANSCRIPTIONS, SERIES 1.

By Frederick N. Shackley.

_Idylle_ (_Starlight, _Op. 55, No. 4_).

_Pastorale_ (_To a Wild Rose, _Op. 51, No. 1_).

_Romance_ (_At an Old Trysting Place, _Op. 51, No. 3_).

_Legend_ (_A Deserted Farm, _Op. 51, No. 8_).

_Reverie_ (_With Sweet Lavender, _Op. 62, No. 4_).

_Maestoso_ (_A.D. 1620, _Op. 55, No. 3_).

SIX TRANSCRIPTIONS, SERIES 2.

By C. Charlton Palmer.

_Nautilus_ (_Op. 55, No. 7_).

_Andantino_ (_Romance, _Op. 39, No. 3_).

_Sea Song_ (_Song, _Op. 55, No. 5_).

_Meditation_ (_By Smouldering Embers, _Op. 61, No. 6_).

_Mélodie_ (_To a Water Lily, _Op. 51, No. 6_).

_In Nomine Domini_ (_From Puritan Days, _Op. 62, No. 8_).

VIOLIN AND PIANOFORTE.

_To a Humming Bird_ (_From Six Fancies_).

_To a Wild Rose_ (_From _Op. 51_). Original and simplified editions.

_Clair de Lune_ (_From _Op. 37_).

_With Sweet Lavender_ (_From _Op. 62_).

VIOLONCELLO AND PIANOFORTE.

WOODLAND SKETCHES. _Op. 51.

Arranged by Julius Klengel.

_To a Wild Rose_.

_At an Old Trysting Place_.

_To a Water-Lily._

_A Deserted Farm_.

_Told at Sunset_.

SELECTED ALBUMS.

Useful albums for those who desire an introduction to MacDowell's music are as follows:--

IN PASSING MOODS.

Album of selected Pianoforte Pieces.

1. _Prologue_.

2. _Alia Tarantella_.

3. _An Old Love Story_.

4. _Melody_.

5. _The Song of the Shepherdess_.

6. _A Deserted Farm_.

7. _To the Sea_.

8. _Danse Andalouse_.

9. _From a Log Cabin_.

10. _Epilogue_.

ALBUM OF SELECTED SONGS.

(Low or High Voice.)

1. _Thy Beaming Eyes_.

2. _The Swan Bent Low_.

3. _O Lovely Rose_.

4. _Deserted_.

5. _Slumber Song_.

6. _A Maid Sings Light_.

7. _To a Wild Rose_.

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.

_First Published_, 1897 (P. L. Jung). Assigned, 1899, to Arthur P. Schmidt,

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.

_First Published_, 1898 (P.L. Jung). Assigned 1899, to Arthur P. Schmidt.

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.

ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO MACDOWELL'S WORKS

The works of MacDowell are reviewed in this book in order of _opus_ number, and the following index will enable the reader to find the account of any piece of which he knows the title, but not the number. Works without opus numbers are dealt with after those having one.

TITLE: OPUS NO.

ORCHESTRAL WORKS:

First Symphonic Poem, Hamlet and Ophelia, 22

Second Symphonic Poem, Lancelot and Elaine, 25

Third Symphonic Poem, Lamia, 29

First Suite, in A minor, 42 _In a Haunted Forest_ _Summer Idyl_ _In October_ _The Song of the Shepherdess_ _Forest Spirits_

Second Suite, Indian 48 _Legend_ _Love-Song_ _In War Time_. _Dirge_ _Village Festival_

Two Fragments, The Saracens and the Lovely Alda 30

PART-SONGS:

Barcarolle (Mixed chorus and Piano duet) 44

Summer Wind (Female Voices) none

Three Choruses (Male Voices) 52 _Hush, hush_! _A Voice from the Sea_ _The Crusaders_

Three Part-songs (Male Chorus) 27 _In the Starry Sky Above Us_ _Springtime_ _The Fisherboy_

Two Choruses (Male Voices) 53 _Bonnie Ann_ _The Collier Lassie_

Two Choruses (Male Voices) 54 _A Ballad of Charles the Bold_ _Midsummer Clouds_

Two College Songs (Female Voices) none _Alma Mater_ _At Parting_

Two Northern Part-songs (Mixed Chorus) 43 _The Brook_ _Slumber Song_

Two Part-songs (Male Chorus) 41 _Cradle Song_ _Dance of the Gnomes_ Two Songs from the Thirteenth Century (Male Chorus) none _Winter Wraps his Grimmest Spell_ _As the Gloaming Shadows Creep_

Published under the Pseudonym of Edgar Thorn none _The Witch_ _War Song_ _The Rose and the Gardener_ _Love and Time_

PIANOFORTE WORKS:

Air and Rigaudon 49 Amourette none Etude de Concert, in F sharp 36

Fireside Tales 61 _An Old Love Story_ _Of Br'er Rabbit_ _From a German Forest_ _Of Salamanders_ _A Haunted House_ _By Smouldering Embers_

First Concerto, in A minor (With Orchestra) 15

First Modern Suite 10 _Praeludium_ _Presto_ _Andantino and Allegretto_ _Intermezzo_ _Rhapsody_ _Fugue_

First Sonata, Tragica 45

Forest Idyls 19 _Forest Stillness_ _Play of the Nymphs_ _Rêverie_ _Dance of the Dryads_

Forgotten Fairy Tales (_Published under the Pseudonym of Edgar Thorn_) none _Sung Outside the Prince's Door_ _Of a Tailor and a Bear_ _Beauty in the Rose Garden_ _From Dwarf-land_

Four Little Poems, 32 _The Eagle_ _The Brook_ _Moonshine_ _Winter_

Four Pieces, 24 _Humoresque_ _March_ _Cradle Song_ _Czardas_

Fourth Sonata, Keltic, 59

From the Eighteenth Century (Transcriptions for Pianoforte of Harpsichord and Clavichord pieces), none

In Lilting Rhythm (Two Pieces) (_Published under the Pseudonym of Edgar Thorn)_, none

Les Orientales, 37 _Clair de Lune_ _Dans le Hamac_ _Danse Andalouse_

Marionettes, 38 _Prologue_ _Soubrette_ _Lover_ _Witch_ _Clown_ _Villain_ _Sweetheart_ _Epilogue_

Moon Pictures (Duets), 21 _The Hindoo Maiden_ _Stork's Story_ _In Tyrol_ _The Swan_ _Visit of the Bear_

New England Idyls, 62 _An Old Garden_ _Mid-Summer_ _Mid-Winter_ _With Sweet Lavender_ _In Deep Woods_ _Indian Idyl_ _To an Old White Pine_ _From Puritan Days_ _From a Log Cabin_ _The Joy of Autumn_

Prelude and Fugue, 13

Sea Pieces, 55 _To the Sea_ _From a Wandering Iceberg_ _A.D. 1620_ _Starlight_ _Song_ _From the Depths_ _Nautilus_ _In Mid-Ocean_

Second Concerto, in D minor (With Orchestra), 23

Second Modern Suite, 14 _Præludium_ _Fugato_ _Rhapsody_ _Scherzino_ _March_ _Fantastic Dance_

Second Sonata, Eroica, 50

Serenata, 16

Six Fancies (_Published under the Pseudonym of Edgar Thorn_), none

_A Tin Soldier's Love_ _To a Humming Bird_ _Summer Song_ _Across Fields_ _Bluette_ _An Elfin Round_

Six Idyls (after Goethe), 28 _In the Woods_ _Siesta_ _To the Moonlight_ _Silver Clouds_ _Flute Idyls_ _Bluebell_

Six Little Pieces on Sketches by J.S. Bach, none _Courante_ _Menuet_ _Gigue_ _Menuet_ _Menuet_ _Marche_

Six Poems after Heine including, 31 _Scotch Poem_ _Poeme érotique_

Technical Exercises for the Pianoforte, none

Third Sonata, Norse, 57

Three Poems (Duets), 20 _Nights at Sea_ _Tale of the Knights_ _Ballade_

Twelve Studies for the Development of Technique and Style, 39 _Hunting Song_ _Alla Tarantella_ _Romance_ _Arabeske_ _In the Forest_ _Dance of the Gnomes_ _Idyl_ _Shadow Dance_ _Intermezzo_ _Melody_ _Scherzino_ _Hungarian_

Twelve Virtuoso Studies 46 _Novelette_ _Moto Perpetuo_ _Wild Chase_ _Improvisation_ _Elfin Dance_ _Valse Triste_ _Burlesque_ _Bluette_ _Traumerei_ _March Wind_ _Impromptu_ _Polonaise_

Two Fantastic Pieces 17 _Legend Witches' Dance (Hexentanz_)

Two Pieces 18 _Barcarolle Humoresque_

Woodland Sketches 51 _To a Wild Rose_ _Will o' the Wisp_ _At an Old Trysting Place_ _In Autumn_ _From an Indian Lodge_ _To a Water-lily_ _From Uncle Remus_ _A Deserted Farm_ _By a Meadow Brook_ _Told at Sunset_

SONGS:

Eight Songs_ 47 _The Robin Sings in the Apple Tree_ _Midsummer Lullaby_ _Folk Song_ _Confidence_ _The West Wind Croons in the Cedar_ _Trees_ _In the Woods_ _The Sea_ _Through the Meadow_

Five Songs _ 10 & 11 _My Love and I_ _You Love Me Not_! _In the Sky, where Stars are Glowing_ _Night Song_ _The Chain of Roses_

Four Songs _Long Ago, Sweetheart Mine_ _The Swan Bent Low to the Lily_ _A Maid Sings Light_ _As the Gloaming Shadows Creep_

From an Old Garden 26 _The Pansy_ _The Myrtle_ _The Clover_ _The Yellow Daisy_ _The Bluebell_ _The Mignonette_

Six Love Songs 40 _Sweet Blue-Eyed Maid_ _Sweetheart, Tell Me_ _Thy Beaming Eyes_ _For Sweet Love's Sake_ _0, Lovely Rose_ _I Ask But This_

Three Songs 33 _Prayer_ _Cradle Hymn_ _Idyl_

Three Songs 58 _Constancy_ _Sunrise_ _Merry Maiden Spring_

Three Songs 60 _Tyrant Love_ _Fair Springtide_ _To the Golden-rod_

Two Old Songs 9 _Deserted_ _Slumber Song_

Two Songs 34 _Menie_ _My Jean_

VIOLONCELLO AND ORCHESTRA:

Romance 35

Printed in Great Britain at The Devonshire Press, Torquay.