An Old Garden, MacDowell - Clarinet Choir - Schmitt Bloomington - December 13, 2023

Edward Macdowell was best known for his piano concertos and suites, including the "New England Idylls", from of which this piece is a part. Macdowell often used the word "old" in his titles to evoke the nostalgic past, and this piece is thought to be inspired by the memory of a garden from MacDowell's house in Wiesbaden, Germany, where MacDowell lived for a time after finishing his studies. It was prefaced by the verse: Sweet - alyssum, / Moss grown stair, / Rows of roses, / Larkspur fair. / All old posies, / Tokens rare / Of love undying / Linger there.