Macdowell's Suite

IX the suite, op. 42, of MácDoWe there comes a work witli a strang mastery of all intricacies of orchestra detail, of the mysterious doinain of ton coloring, of the secret dells of orchestra meaning, and, abovo all, with a tinge o peculiarity not ultramontano (or mor properly notultramarine). The work has an independent originality that we dare claim as being "American!" Tliere is a thorough appreciation of the scores of of Berlioz, and also a vein quije Tschaikowskian at times. Liszt is not entirely absent from the score, and Wagner's prophetic visión and insight into nature's very womb have inspired the very subject matter; but still is the matter original, startling, fascinating, and - dare I say it - more suggestive of an American school of composition than an3'thing I have ever heard. With a single drum tap, a few times repeated, this young American throvvs a composition at our phlegmatic heads thatstartles ns out of our self-contented critical sleep to flnd suddenly that we have a real, live orchestral colorist right in our midst. When I say there is much of tlie ele ments fchat make Raff's "lm Walde' symphony so popular aud easily graspec of all listeners, and at the same time iu reminiscent thereof, the quality of the "work will be understood by those who have not heard it. The flrst movement largomento misterioso allegro furioso "InaHauntedForest'isitistrue, wem in the extreme, and in the second par: an orchestral orgie of furious tonal proportions ; but it hits the spot it aims at and produces every atom of the gruesome shiver in the hearer's bones anc nerves hoped for, and therefore he has touched the very tuning node of the vibration of the hearer's imagination, whieh is a power given to but few. The second and third movements, allegro grazioso, " Suinmer Idyl," and andante semplice, "The Shepherdess' Song," are most soothing and res'tful after the tensión of the previous moveunent. This again shows that the composer has what mnii}' talented composers lack : id est, gumption. In the finale, molto allegro, " Forest Spirits," there is a diabólica! twist to the main subject that is superb. It is simply an inspiration. The question is fairly sur Ie lapis: Have we found in MacDowell our national typical tone colorist ? - Musical Courier. This suite, to be brought out at the coming Festival, has attained great popularïty, having been played in all the principal cities of this country, and also in European capitais. The blrd retaina hjs silvary note. Thoueh bondage cliains hls wiugs. - .. IL Bayly.