Edward MacDowell by John F. Porte
page 103 of 159 (64%)
page 103 of 159 (64%)
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only thirty bars long. It is cramped into one page in the current
edition of the sketches. The melody is tender, undulating and expressive and is supported by full but always clear chords, with typical modulations. The broadness of the chord writing, together with the general tone of the piece as a whole, seems to call for orchestral colouring and foreshadows MacDowell's most advanced period. As a whole, it is contemplative, expressing the wistfulness of one who stands at a quiet place, musing on bygone meetings there. 4. _In Autumn_ (_Buoyantly, almost exuberantly_). MacDowell threw an irresistible joyous excitement into this piece (as he did later in the superb _The Joy of Autumn_, from _New England Idyls, Op. 62_). _In Autumn_ opens with a brisk staccato theme, followed by little chromatic runs which seem to suggest the whistling of the wind through the tree-tops. A middle section brings a complete change of mood, as if questioning the elements. A mysterious and fanciful little passage leads to a resumption of the opening joy of existence. In short, this piece is most exhilarating, and pulsates with life and with an exuberance that is most infectious. 5. _From an Indian Lodge_ (_Sternly, with great emphasis_). This is as strong and impressive a piece as MacDowell ever composed for the pianoforte. From the first bar the note of the stern stolidity of the Red man is struck. The rude, elemental power of the bare octaves of the introductory bars is unmistakable. The ensuing stolid oration, punctuated by emotionless grunts, is an ingenious musical sketch of a pow-wow scene in an Indian wigwam. The piece closes with a reminiscence of the last part of the |
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