A contemporary of Mahler, pupil of Raff and protégé of Liszt, the American-born MacDowell received his main musical education in France and Germany during the later 19th century. The two Piano Concertos, which alternate dazzling pianism with lyrical melody from beginning to end, are among his most memorable and distinctive works. This disc also includes the world première recordings of Hexentanz and Romance for Cello and Orchestra.