Scan 21
The American history and encyclopedia of Music: Musical Biographies, 1908
11 lines. Read by computer on 15 September 2026. Printed page 5. See the scan on archive.org.
1MacDowell
2often said that these songs demand almost impossible tone sequences of the human voice, yet for sheer beauty of conception and absolute union of poetic sentiment and musical expression, they command admiration. In his smaller pieces for piano we have another development of his genius, one which is perhaps more intimate than all the others. A pianist of excellent abilities, he was able to give his own interpretation to these pieces as a sort of key by which could be deciphered all the mystery and beauty of his larger works. The fascination of his sympathetic treatment of nature is keenly felt in such pieces as those which comprise the series he calls Woodland Sketches. The lightness and grace with which he has treated Will o’ the Wisp and To a Wild Rose; the dignity and simple strength he has given the Indian theme in From an Indian Lodge; the tenderness and poetic feeling shown in At an Old Trysting Place, a Deserted Farm, and in Autumn, place this set of sketches high in the list of his works. In his Sea Pieces he is wonderfully true to nature and has caught and portrayed the majesty, the mystery and fascination of this mighty force with remarkable fidelity. And in his Moon Pictures, suggested by themes from Hans Christian Andersen, one feels the poetry, romance and charm all clearly expressed. The leading characteristics of this composer are imagination and poetic feeling. As a man he was retiring and modest, but staunch in the support of his ideals and convictions. We live too near to him to estimate the ultimate value of his work and its influence on our national music, or to rightly place him among the musicians of the world.
4M’Ewen, John Blackwood. 1868-
5Scottish composer of considerable importance; was born at Hawick. After studying at the Glasgow High School and University, where he received the degree of M. A., he entered the Royal Academy of Music, from which he received the degree of Fellow. In 1896 he became professor and lecturer at the Glasgow Athenaeum, and two years later he became professor of composition and harmony at the Royal Academy of Music. He has written many compositions strongly Scotch in character, among them being Six Highland Dances for piano and violin; Three Highland Dances for strings; Graih, My Chree, a recitation with accompaniment of a string quartet, drum and piano. Other works are The Last Chantey, for chorus and orchestra; a Scene from Hellas, for female chorus and orchestra; an arrangement for Milton’s Hymn on the Nativity for soprano solo, chorus and orchestra; and orchestral suite in E; a symphony in A minor; two overtures; a string quartet in F and one in E minor.
7Macfarren
8Macfarren, Sir George Alexander. 1813-1887.
9English musician, who, though blind part of his life, accomplished an enormous amount of work, and won a remarkable musical reputation for himself in his own country. He was a son of the dramatist, George Macfarren, and was born at London. He did not begin to study music until 1827, and then became a pupil of Charles Lucas. In 1829 he entered the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied the piano, trombone and composition. In 1834 he became a professor at the Royal Academy and the same year produced his symphony in F minor. In 1836 his overture, Chevy Chase, appeared; in 1838 his Devil’s Opera was presented; and in 1840 his Emblematic Tribute on the Queen’s marriage was given at Drury Lane. In 1843 he became a member of the Handel Society and edited Belshazzar, Judas Maccabæus and Jephthah; in 1845 he directed Mendelssohn’s Antigone at Covent Garden; in 1846 produced his own opera, Don Quixote; and in 1849 his opera, Charles II. In 1851 his cantata, Leonora, appeared; in 1856 another cantata, May Day, was given, and in 1859 his cantata, Christmas, was produced. In 1860 he brought out Robinhood, one of his most successful works, and in 1863 his masque, Freya’s Gift, written in honor of the Prince of Wales’ marriage; also his opera, Jessy Lea; and in 1864 three other operas, She Stoops to Conquer, The Soldiers’ Legacy, and Helvellyn.
10About this time the composer became totally blind, but continued his work of teaching and writing with unceasing energy with the aid of helpers to take dictation from him. In 1873 his oratorio, St. John the
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