Edward MacDowell by John F. Porte
page 129 of 159 (81%)
page 129 of 159 (81%)
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6. _Indian Idyl_ (_Leggiero, ingenuo_). This is a lovely tone poem, opening with a characteristic little figure reminiscent of the opening of the _Love-Song_ in the _Indian Suite for Orchestra_ (_Op_. 48). The theme is punctuated by little flute-like embellishments. The middle section, _poco piu lento_, is idyllic, with a perfectly balanced, swaying rhythm. In playing this portion, the left hand should describe an equal series of semicircles as it alights first on the low chord, and then on the single note two octaves higher. The opening theme returns with the flute-like embellishments prominent, but all heard softly, as from ... _afar through the summer night Sigh the wooing flutes' soft strains_. 7. _To an Old White Pine_ (_Gravemente con dignità _). The characteristic feature of this piece is its sense of alternate mounting and declining strength. At about the middle of the movement a deeper solemnity is noticed, in a passage suggesting the _swaying, gentle forest trees_ that whisper at the feet of the huge old pines of an American forest. Some expressive and ingenious little woodland touches are included in the quiet concluding bars. 8. _From Puritan Days_. "_In Nomine Domini_" (_Con enfasi smisurata_). A stern theme opens this piece, while a passage marked _implorando_ seems to suggest the pious attitude of the immortal founders of the New England States. Soon the music becomes hurried and more impassioned, the pious, despairing |
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