Many listeners will immediately recognize the opening piece on this disc, To a Wild Rose, one of MacDowell's best inspirations. However, even after a couple of hearings, they'll probably have trouble recognizing the rest of these pieces, none of which has the same kind of inspiration. MacDowell's deeply held belief that American music should copy European models was also his limitation. This music is historically important, but as a listening experience, it has the same effect as second-rate imitations of Grieg's Lyric Pieces. Barbagallo's lovely playing, a fine memorial to this regrettably short-lived artist, makes the music sound better than it really is, and the recorded piano tone is beautiful.
1) Woodland Sketches Op. 51: To a Wild Rose
2) Woodland Sketches Op. 51: Will-O'-The-Wisp
3) Woodland Sketches Op. 51: At An Old Trysting Place
4) Woodland Sketches Op. 51: In Autumn
5) Woodland Sketches Op. 51: From An Indian Lodge
6) Woodland Sketches Op. 51: To a Water-Lily
7) Woodland Sketches Op. 51: From Uncle Remus
8) Woodland Sketches Op. 51: A Deserted Farm
9) Woodland Sketches Op. 51: By a Meadow Brook
10) Woodland Sketches Op. 51: Told at Sunset
11) Sea Pieces Op. 55: To the Sea
12) Sea Pieces Op. 55: From a Wandering Iceberg
13) Sea Pieces Op. 55: A.D. MDCXX
14) Sea Pieces Op. 55: Starlight
15) Sea Pieces Op. 55: Song
16) Sea Pieces Op. 55: From the Depths
17) Sea Pieces Op. 55: Nautilus
18) Sea Pieces Op. 55: In Mid-Ocean
19) Fireside Tales Op.61: An Old Love Story
20) Fireside Tales Op.61: Of Br'er Rabbit
21) Fireside Tales Op.61: From a German Forest
22) Fireside Tales Op.61: Of Salamanders
23) Fireside Tales Op.61: A Haunted House
24) Fireside Tales Op.61: By Smouldering Embers
25) New England Idyls Op. 62: An Old Garden
26) New England Idyls Op. 62: Mid-Summer
27) New England Idyls Op. 62: Mid-Winter
28) New England Idyls Op. 62: With Sweet Lavender
29) New England Idyls Op. 62: In Deep Woods
30) New England Idyls Op. 62: Indian Idyl
31) New England Idyls Op. 62: To An Old White Pine
32) New England Idyls Op. 62: From Puritan Days
33) New England Idyls Op. 62: From a Log Cabin
34) New England Idyls Op. 62: The Joy of Autumn