MacDowell knew Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B Minor well and was quite fond of the work. The use and treatment of recurring motives in his Eroica Sonata suggest the Liszt sonata as a model. MacDowell’s treatment and development of the musical motives in the Eroica Sonata follow procedures similar to those in the Liszt Sonata. Even though MacDowell’s sonata has a four-movement design, the basic structure is comparable to the one-movement Liszt sonata. The Piano Sonata in B Minor does not have any explicit programmatic meaning, but several authors have commented on potential programs due to the recurrence of thematic materials. MacDowell hinted at programmatic elements in his sonata, but did not definitively explicate a program; however, the use of recurring motives and their subsequent development suggests a program. In addition, the pianistic writing of the Eroica Sonata parallels some portions of the Liszt Sonata.

Works: Edward MacDowell: Eroica Sonata.

Sources: Liszt: Piano Sonata in B Minor (176-181, 186), Etudes d’exécution transcendante (179-80).

Index Classifications: 1800s

Contributed by: Devin Chaloux