The American Composer Accepts Early Columbia University Student

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MACDOWELL, EDWARD. (1860-1908). American composer, pianist and teacher. DS. (“E.A. MacDowell”). 1p. Oblong 8vo. New York City, October 2, 1899. A partially-printed document signed by MacDowell acknowledging that ANGELA DILLER (1877-1968) is qualified to attend “Course 1.5” in Columbia University’s Department of Music. On Columbia University stationery.

After studying in Germany and earning Franz Liszt’s recognition, MacDowell returned to the United States to make name for himself as a pianist and composer. In May 1896, MacDowell became Columbia University’s first professor of music. In addition to teaching, he continued to conduct, perform and compose, producing some of his finest piano works, including Sea Pieces (Op. 55), the Third (“Norse”) Sonata (Op. 57) and Fireside Tales (Op. 61). MacDowell resigned from Columbia in 1904 after conflicts with university president Nicholas Murray Butler regarding the establishment of a fine arts program at the university. MacDowell’s health rapidly declined into complete dementia, possibly due to the chronic use of bromide sedatives; he died at the age of 48.

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Edward MacDowell

Diller, the Brooklyn-born daughter of a church organist, was a music teacher at a New York City girls’ boarding school when she began studying with MacDowell. “For seven years, from 1896 until 1903, she studied harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, composition, and piano with Edward MacDowell at Columbia University, and concurrently was enrolled at Barnard College as a special student in music… In 1899 Angela Diller was the first recipient of the Mosenthal fellowship for musical composition at the university,” (Notable American Women: The Modern Period: A Biographical Dictionary, ed. Sicherman and Green). That same year, she began teaching at the New York City Music School Settlement where she eventually rose to head of the theory department and “became a devoted, and inspiring teacher to the hundreds of students, young and old, whom she met,” (ibid.). She co-founded the Diller Quaile School of Music, which introduced a new curriculum she developed that applied music theory and “emphasized the development of musicianship in a program closely coordinated with the individual instrumental lessons,” (ibid.).

Light age wear, otherwise in very good condition. Accompanied by a card, not in MacDowell’s hand, arranging Diller’s music lesson with MacDowell at 380 Central Park West, and the original Columbia University Department of Music envelope that enclosed our document. Uncommon.

The American Composer Accepts Early Columbia University Student