For many decades of the nineteenth century, the Great American Composer was felt to be a contradiction in terms. Where was the equivalent of Schumann, Tchaikovsky or Brahms? The closest contender was long held to be Edward MacDowell, who was educated (and chose to live) in Europe, and whose music is as American as Mendelssohn’s. When induced to come home, he experienced a culture clash which was never wholly resolved. Only now, more than a century after his premature death, is his music being seriously reassessed. His time, perhaps, may only now be dawning. This profile of MacDowell includes three quarters of an hour of music by the composer. Audio samples are contained in the text: just tap to listen while you read.
