New Britain herald., 1915-10-28
CHARMING RECITAL
 BY MRS. M'DOWELL
Widow of Great Composer Enter
 tainS in New Y. ". C. A. Hall

In the world of music Mrs. Edward Mcdowell occupies the unique posi- tion as the wife of the greatest com poser this country has yet produced. Mrs. Mcdowell gave an excellent re- cital in the Y. w. C. A. hall last even ing.
 It is interesting to learn that first as pupil of MT. Mcdowell and then as his wife, it was given her to enter into a sympathetic comprehension of the thoughts of this ballad master, which is so womanly displayed in her interpretation of them.
 In Mrs. MacDowells preliminary talk before taking up the program we were given a bit of the history of the movement started toward a fitting monument to perpetuate the name and fame of this great composer. A number of New York friends wishing to show their appreciation raised the sum of S6,0O0 for monument to the composer, but Mrs. Mcdowell, hav- ing in mind the work already begun by her husband at Peterboro, N H.. laid before them her plan to carry them out if possible.
 To him this quiet retired favor of over 400 acres had proved place of refuge from the noisy world-a spot where the poet-composer might lit- erally be able to hear himself think and in no other sense is this express sion correctly used. Fortunately the $6,0OO was placed at the disposal of Mrs. Mcdowell for the purpose of carrying out the composers idea of furnishing place of refuge for other musicians, thus honoring the memory of the composer in a practical last ing way to help others as it had help ed him.
 What nobler moment could be de- sided for one than the carrying out of his lifes most cherished plans.
 So the splendid work has been going on until in that quiet peaceful Peterboro farm there are now twelve completed studios and four more nearly finished.
 An account of this ideal music colony is found in the Boston Trans cript of Saturday. the 18th of this month, and it is the enthusiastic tri- bute of formerly somewhat skepti- cal reporter who recently visited Pet erboro for the purpose of Information organizing this ideal place.
 As MT. Mcdowell lived in Germany and other places in Europe from his fourteenth to his twenty y-ninth year it will be seen that his work is more or less perm eated with, the color and atm OSphere of other nations
 His manner of expression has been Hkened to Grieg with a strong Wag- ner t1nge, but surely his fascinating
 Bre'r Rabbit" tonal pictures were born on American soil.
 The first number of Preside Tales Op. 61, entitled Prom German Forest" displayed the composers keenness of hearing, and his delight in weaving all sounds into harmony. Living as he did on the edge of a forest, he could often catch the sing ing of German voices and these inter- mingled with the voices of the wood he introduces with fine effect into this interesting number.
 . The Largo from Sonata Tragic" is considered by Mrs. Mcdowell to be the finest work of her husband, and this she gave with the dignity and solemnity fitting to this really great production. Those who have for the first time seen the wonderful wild rose of New Hampshire can we'll understand and appreciate the poetic outburst of MT. Mcdowell when he for the first time came upon it by the roadside. How beautifully has he immortalized this l lovely pink blossom, and himself no less, in the exquisite tone poem ITO a | Wild Rose"
 Such a beautiful piece as this makes l one ready to accept the oft repeated | statement that to create a perfect l melody is more wonderful than the l weaving of an intricate piece of har- mony, since the latter is an exact 1 science, and may be acquired by one | who has musical brain and insight, 1 but beautiful melody is inspired. l Be this as 1t may, and notwithstand- | ing Mr. MacDowell's remarkable | mastery of harmony, the fact remains l that this little classic ITO a Wild | Rose" is an immortal, q melody dear l to thousands of hearts.
 In the last number of a most inter- | esting and delightful program is found | in New England Idyls truly Amer ican flavor. It is said that the intro | duction of discord in musical archi- l lecture is peculiar to the modern com | poser, but surely no one has made l more fascinating use of it than our | own Mcdowell, and it illustrates the | fact that because of it the perfect l harmony is more prized" as Brown | ing says in "Abt Vogler."
 At the close of this satisfying pro- l gram no one seemed ready to go, so | Mrs. Mcdowell kindly responded to |