Symphony No. 2 (Paine) Explained

Symphony No. 2 in A major, subtitled Im Frühling or In Spring, is the second symphony by American composer John Knowles Paine.

History

The symphony was composed in 1879 and published in Boston in 1880,^{[1] [2]} at a time when few American composers were able to find publishers for symphonic works. It was also premiered in Boston in 1880, and was extremely well received, prompting handkerchief-waving and shouting at the first performance.^[3] Historian Louis Elson compared its final movement to Robert Schumann's Symphony in B flat, which is also subtitled "Spring".^[3]

Instrumentation

2 Flutes

2 Oboes

2 A Clarinets

2 Bassoons

4 Horns

2 Trumpets

2 Trombones

1 Bass Trombone

Timpani

Strings

Structure

The symphony is in four movements:

1. Adagio sostenuto - "Departure of Winter" Allegro ma non troppo "Awakening of Nature"
2. Scherzo Allegro "May-Night Fantasy"
3. Adagio "A Romance of Springtime"
4. Allegro giojoso "The Glory of Nature"^[2]

Use in film and television

The second and third movements were heard and shown performed at a concert in the fourth episode of the first season of the HBO television series The Gilded Age, depicting a performance in New York City in 1882.

External links

• • Web site: A Forgotten Voice - Announcement of Naxos recording of the Symphony No.1 in C Minor & plans to record the Symphony No.2. Falletta. JoAnn.

Notes and References

1. Kenneth C. Roberts and John C. Schmidt. "John Knowles Paine". Grove Music online.
2. Steven Ledbetter, Liner Notes to New World Records CD 80350 "John Knowles Paine, Symphony Nº. 2 in A-Major Im Frühling
3. Chase, Gilbert. America's Music. 3rd rev. edn., 1992, p. 342.