In the nineteenth-century, American musical composition was dominated by European-born composers and conductors who emigrated to the United States. Chadwick helped the cause of American composition by making distinctively American works acceptable in the concert hall. A detailed analysis of the composer's six symphonic works imparts a sense of Chadwick's symphonic style. This analysis reveals the change from an emulation of European masters to a completely personal and American style. The critical response to Chadwick's work is exhaustively reviewed to provide insights into many aspects of the composer, his music, and his work as a conductor. Includes two appendixes containing a list of performances of his symphonic works, a complete roster of his compositions, bibliography and discography.
