4. _From Dwarf-land (Merrily, quaintly)._ This opens with a merry theme, and is full of quaint and delightful little touches.
TWO PIECES, IN LILTING RHYTHM, FOR PIANOFORTE.
These two pieces are explained by their titles and are of little importance.
_First Published_, 1898 (P.L. Jung). Assigned 1899, to Arthur P. Schmidt.
This is a characteristic album, the pieces in it being imaginative and suggestive, in tone poetry, of their subjects, although not of the composer's deepest inspiration.
1._A Tin Soldier's Love (Gently, with Feeling)._ This little piece opens with a sweet and simple theme, followed by a toy-like march tune, and these make up the material of the piece.
2. _To a Humming Bird (As fast and light as possible)._ There is nothing very striking about this piece. It is imaginative, and when played at the required speed, with lightness of touch, is effective. It has been arranged as a violin solo with pianoforte accompaniment.
3. _Summer Song (Not fast)._ This is characteristic of MacDowell in its clear-sounding harmonies, and has a certain charm and fragrance of its own.
4. _Across Fields (Lightly and joyously)._ This piece opens with a happy and characteristic tune. The whole atmosphere suggested in its two pages is singularly bright, sunny and fresh.
5. _Bluette (Gracefully)._ This is the most MacDowell-like piece of the _Six Fancies_, some of its rich harmonies and characteristic key transitions being reminiscent of the composer's finer work.
6. _An Elfin Round (Very swift and light)._ The full effect of this piece can only be felt if it is played at a great speed, with extreme lightness of touch. The feeling is not very deep, as the occasion does not demand it, but it is a fanciful and suggestive little creation.
(Published under the Pseudonym of Edgar Thorn.)
These part-songs are extremely interesting and effective, particularly in the MacDowell-like manner in which they convey musical suggestions of their literary content.
The works of MacDowell are reviewed in this book in order of _opus_ number, and the following index will enable the reader to find the account of any piece of which he knows the title, but not the number. Works without opus numbers are dealt with after those having one.