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:
- Adagio sostenuto - "Departure of Winter" Allegro ma non troppo "Awakening of Nature"
- Scherzo Allegro "May-Night Fantasy"
- Adagio "A Romance of Springtime"
- 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.
References
- ^ Kenneth C. Roberts and John C. Schmidt. "John Knowles Paine". Grove Music online.
- ^ a b Steven Ledbetter, Liner Notes to New World Records CD 80350 "John Knowles Paine, Symphony Nº. 2 in A-Major Im Frühling
- ^ a b Chase, Gilbert. America's Music. 3rd rev. edn., 1992, p. 342.
External links
- Symphony No. 2 (Paine): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- Falletta, JoAnn. "A Forgotten Voice - Announcement of Naxos recording of the Symphony No.1 in C Minor & plans to record the Symphony No.2".