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Symphony No. 2 (Paine)

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

History

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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

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2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 A Clarinets
2 Bassoons
4 Horns
2 Trumpets
2 Trombones
1 Bass Trombone
Timpani
Strings

Structure

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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

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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

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