Critical and Historical Essays / Lectures delivered at Columbia University

Opening of the book

CRITICAL
AND
HISTORICAL ESSAYSattr
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Lectures delivered at Columbia University
BY
EDWARD MACDOWELL
EDITED BY
W.J. BALTZELL
London
ELKIN & CO., Ltd.,
8 & 10 Beak Street,
Regent Street, W.
CONSTABLE & CO., Ltd.,
10 Orange Street,
Leicester Square, W.C.
Boston, U.S.A., ARTHUR P. SCHMIDT
attr Copyright, 1912, by ARTHUR P. SCHMIDT

A.P.S. 9384attr
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Stanhope Press
F.H. GILSON COMPANY
BOSTON, U.S.A.
attr PREFACEattr
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The present work places before the public a phase of the
professional activity of Edward MacDowell quite different
from that through which his name became a household word
in musical circles, that is, his work as a composer. In
the chapters that follow we become acquainted with him in
the capacity of a writer on phases of the history and
æsthetics of music.
It was in 1896 that the authorities of Columbia University
offered to him the newly created Chair of Music, for which
he had been strongly recommended as one of the leading
composers of America. After much thought he accepted the
position, and entered upon his duties with the hope of
accomplishing
much
for
his
art
in
the
favorable
environment which he fully expected to find. The aim of
the instruction, as he planned it, was: “First, to teach
music scientifically and technically, with a view to
training musicians who shall be competent to teach and
compose.
Second,
to
treat
music
historically
and
æsthetically as an element of liberal culture.” In
carrying out his plans he conducted a course, which, while
“outlining the purely technical side of music,” was
intended to give a “general idea of music from its
historical and æsthetic side.” Supplementing this, as an
advanced course, he also gave one which took up the
development
of
musical
forms,
piano
music,
modern
orchestration and symphonic attr forms, impressionism, the

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