MacDowell is a fairly well-known American composer predating the music
of Ives & Copland.  His work is quite nice, consisting mostly of piano
miniatures & character pieces, many of which are available in several
volumes on the Naxos label.  His style is highly reflective of the German
influence of the time, somewhat Lisztian, and not particularly "American"-
if there is such a thing.  He does use some authentic American Indian
melodies from time to time though.  Check out his four piano sonatas too -
Tragica, Eroica, Norse, and Keltic.  Good stuff.

Fred