MacDowell Colony

Thirty years ago the most eminent of all U. S. composers, Edward Alexander MacDowell, died in Manhattan's Westminster Hotel. Known most widely for his piano piece, To a Wild Rose, courtly, affable MacDowell was internationally famed for an imposing list of orchestral suites, symphonic poems, piano concertos, songs and instrumental solo pieces. Sensitive and nervous by temperament (a mental breakdown hastened his death at 46), MacDowell loved the country, drew inspiration and titles for his music from nature. Eventually he bought himself a strip of wooded land near Peterboro in southern New Hampshire, where he spent his last years. Before he died he expressed a wish that this country refuge might be made available to other composers, paint-ters, writers who were anxious to work in country quiet. But the realization of his wish required more money than Idealist MacDowell had saved.

The task of raising funds fell largely to his frail widow. Tirelessly, in spite of a spinal ailment that made exertion difficult, she has since toured the U. S., giving concerts (she is a good pianist), talking, gleaning contributions to keep the MacDowell Colony going. During the past 30 years she has succeeded in personally raising some $100,000. The Colony has grown, occupies today some 500 acres sprinkled with isolated cottages, with room for 50 artists each summer. A list of those who have benefited by its hospitality at one time or another, reads like a Who's Who of the U. S. artistic world.

Two-and-a-half years ago Edward Lynn, a grateful MacDowell Colony alumnus who now writes radio scripts in Hollywood, and Mrs. Natalie Alden Putnam, a Hollywood piano teacher, hit on the idea of holding an annual radio festival in honor of the composer. Choosing the date of MacDowell's death for their Festival

Week, they approached Los Angeles broadcasting stations suggesting programs of MacDowell's music. Every Los Angeles station cooperated enthusiastically. The following year the two colleagues broadened the scope of their festival, enlisted National Broadcasting Co., Columbia Broadcasting System and nearly 60 independent stations.

This week the third Annual MacDowell Radio Festival boomed far beyond U. S. borders. Manhattan's New York Philharmonic-Symphony, under slope-shouldered Georges Enesco, broadcast MacDowell's symphonic poem Lancelot and Elaine over the Columbia network. Other commemorative broadcasts were heard over Columbia, NBC, Don Lee, and Canadian broadcasting systems, as well as 56 independent stations. Additional MacDowell broadcasts were heard from one station each in Ireland, Sweden, England, Australia, Poland. Norway, and from three stations in Germany, where MacDowell spent his most fruitful student years.

Such widespread publicity, its sponsors hope, will bring additional funds to carry on the good work of the MacDowell Colony. Meanwhile, bustling, grey-haired, bright-faced little Marian Nevins MacDowell continues to lecture, to work incessantly in the Colony's interests. Next summer she hopes to be in Peterboro, as usual, administrating its affairs.

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