To a Wild Rose, Op. 51, No. 1

Edward Alexander MacDowell (December 18, 1860 – January 23, 1908) was an American composer and pianist of the late Romantic period. He was best known for his second piano concerto and his piano suites Woodland Sketches, Sea Pieces and New England Idylls. Woodland Sketches includes his most popular short piece, "To a Wild Rose". In 1904 he was one of the first seven Americans honored by membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

He was born in New York City and studied at the Paris Conservatory and Dr. Hoch's Conservatory in Frankfurt. Liszt was an admirer . He was appointed professor at Columbia University in NYC, where his task was to "create a music department." He was often stressed with his work at Columbia, ahd resigned abruptly.

In 1904 he was one of the first seven Americans honored by membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

He was subject to depression, which increased severely, and his final illness began when he was run over by a hansom cab in NYC in 1904. Of his final years, Lawrence Gilman, a contemporary, described: "His mind became as that of a little child..."

As it will soon to be time to bring my "Summertime Series" to a close, I wanted to "end" with some of MacDowell's "miniature masterpieces", and I think that you'll find all of these fine stuff.

"To a Wild Rose" is part of "Ten Woodland Sketches," first published in 1896. It is MacDowell's perfect miniature masterpiece.

The sensitive transcription was done by Charles P. Scott, who studied in Germany, before returning to New England.

There are two volumes of these transcriptions, both published by Arthur P. Schmidt, Boston. There are two volumes of these transcriptions, both published by Arthur P. Schmidt, Boston. These three uploads today complete the 2 sets of transcriptions.

I think this one was the hardest to "get right..."

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of Edward MacDowell, his signature, and of his memorial plaque.