The whole nature of MacDowell was singularly impressionable, imaginative, idealistic and romantic.  He loved the beauty, grandeur and solemnity of Nature not only for its outward aspect, but for what he thought it symbolised.  His sensitive character made him extremely sympathetic towards human nature, although he never used his understanding of his fellow men to cultivate by trickery or device their favour and praise.  He loved and idealised the ancient days of romance and chivalry, when men lived the wonderful tales of heroism that are now discredited and fading before the materialism of modern civilisation, and in this respect he had an affinity with the English composer, Elgar.  He derived enjoyment from fairy tales and folk-lore, and these were his apparent consolation in his tragic last years.  He was a man of rare qualities, noble, sincere and unselfish to an extreme.  He hated insincerity in any form, and if he had been more tolerant in this respect his path would have often been easier.  He had a curious and charming love for the growing things and creatures of the woods, and although an excellent shot, he could never enjoy hunting or shooting, as it hurt him to kill birds or animals.  He abhorred the copying, by Americans, of European aristocratic “sport,” for the nobleness of his nature could not descend to the vicious customs of those only noble by assumption or in title.  His intellectual bearing, his catholicity of tastes and his learning presented a striking contrast to the narrow outlook and brainlessness of the average high-brow type of musician, and in this respect again he was like Elgar.

He dipped deeply into literature, both ancient and contemporary, and was always working out aesthetic and philosophic problems concerning music.  His knowledge of his art would have done justice to a learned academician, though this he certainly was not, and he always held shrewdly formed opinions typical of his countrymen, on subjects that interested him.  He had a healthy dislike of fashionable “at-homes” and dinner parties where music is “adored” and “loved” by those who may have a good knowledge of social matters, but who have little or no ability to comprehend the deeper significance and power of the art.  In fact one suspects that they adopt high-class music chiefly in an attempt to indicate an intellectual status they do not possess.  For sincere and able criticism, however, MacDowell always had respect and interest, and he was always touched by what he thought was honest praise and admiration.  In quiet conversation he was the most charming of men, but in social gatherings he was ill at ease, and unable to take part in the tactful conversation and studied courtesies of society that make for success.  His convictions were passionately idealistic, and he often stated them with a bluntness and utter lack of diplomacy that would have made Beethoven claim him as a brother; although MacDowell felt none of that old giant’s bitterness towards Society.