Comparative Study Of MacDowell And The Second New England School

This article is an exploring research on the comparison of MacDowell and composers of the Second New England School from different aspects.Through analysis of their works, summing-up of their styles and comparisons of the difference between them, we can get answers: What is the difference of their style; what special characteristics made MacDowell earned more reputation than the Second New England School; what kind of event made MacDowell regarded as the greatest composer in that period; why MacDowell in large measure was a summary of the past, a gifted reflection of a fading era.Although MacDowell and the composers of the Second New England School have so much in common, as a tone-poet, so many favorite themes and images of romantic poets are explored and interpreted pianistically by his distinctive way. His concept of music as a kind of"soul-language"and his goal of musical nationalism all contribute to his distinction from the composers of the Second New England School. That's the reason why not only did he epitomize America's version of German Romanticism, but his success signaled the decline of the genteel tradition that had dominated serious music in the United States since the days of Francis Hopkinson and James Hewitt.