Search - John Knowles Paine, Zubin Mehta, New York Philharmonic :: John Knowles Paine: Symphony No. 2

A neglected masterpiece

Stephen Shotwell | Belmont CA | 06/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A neglected masterpiece from a most underrated composer. A superior achievement to Paine's Symphony #1, this second symphony is titled "Spring", and, as indicated in the CD booklet, someone at some point hit upon programmatic titles to each movement. But this is not program music, and I find any such ideas only trivialize the meaning of this superbly constructed symphonic music.



Most wonderful of all is the first movement. The slow introduction presents a germinal 5-note motif that recurs later in the movement in stunningly climactic ways. There are passages of enormous passion, with a very powerful sweeping effect. This music is in temperament somewhat like Tchaikovsky, or maybe Elgar, but with an architecture that even Brahms would admire.



The second movement is a demonic scherzo a la Beethoven's Ninth, but with a middle section as lyrical as good Schumann. The slow third movement is very lovely and imaginative. The final movement I enjoy somewhat less, as the anthem-like theme seems sort of pasted on.



Don't fail to obtain this recording, even if you have to go to lengths to get it. You will be amazed by this music, and you will not tire of it.



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