The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-01-31
The Paine Symphony.
The Work n D;siinguished Success,

The new symphony of Mr.. j. X. Paire,
which was produced in Boston by the Thomas
Orchestra Wednesday evening, was received
with demonstrations of delight by the large
and brilliant audience, and won great but dis
eliminating praise from the musical critics of
the daily papers. The creation is generally
pronounced as in every way an unqualified
success 1t is commended as fresh, vigorous
and consistent, perfect in form, beautifully
scored. harmonizing in design and detail. The
instrumentation is acknowledged to be mas
teriy, and Mr.. Paine is warmly praised for his
wonderful command Of the details of compost
ton. His success will be very gratifying to
his many friends in Portland. In its review
the next day tho Transcript says:
1t is rarely, perhaps never, that such excite
ment and enthusiasm have been witnessed at
concert In this city, The musicians were out
IN force, and the 'jury-box," as the second
balcony has been called, was the most demon.
s.ratiVe part OF the great audience. Evidently
Ihe richness OF color, the grace, fertility free.
dom, and sustained strength of the com position
we wgre surprising to them. Scholarly correctness
all were prepared for from the previous produc-
tions OF Mr.. Paine, but the breadth and spirit,
tne nre OF genius buovaucy and freshness OF
invention, and masterful handling of all the
resources OF the orchestra, so indubitably dis
played, were a constantly increasing deljoht.
most generously and unsffectedly eyinced by
all, without any other feeling than one of shar-
ing pride and congratulation in the triumph of
patient worker. whose "modesty's a candle
to his merit" The spontaneous and prolonged
applause that greeted the end of each moye-
ment rose to storm of calls for the Composer
at the close OF the symphony, and Mr. Paine
went from bis seat in the audience 10 the Mat
form and bowed his acknowledgment amid ex-
cited cheering.
1t then goes on to give a full analysis of the
symphony and an account of the rendition.
closing the review with the following words:
Thorny indeed is the path of the young COM
poser who has TO contend with the lukeWarm-
ness OF those who dampen the young musicians
ardor where they might incite by a few warm
words to greater efforts. 1t is terrible ordeal.
that OF doubt The sensitive soul of the com,
poser IS coy and retreating. 1t needs the
warmth OF belief and faith on the part OF
ts.; tnose who give, and that tardily, only mis-
trusting recognition. But Mr.. Paine has a
steadily increasing scircle of friends who be-
lIeve In him and his genius and we bid him
God-speed in his work.
The Post is quite as warm in its praise. Af-
ter mentioning Mr.. Pains's oratorio of s'St.
Peter" it says:
There could be no greater contrast than that
presented in this symphony, which, while dis
playing equal resources of technical knowledge
and an almost equal reverence for form, has
the real breath of life infused throughout. 1t
shows not only study, but what is better, GENT
us, or at least fresh and glowing talent. If
tle smoke of the lamp is on the pages of the
score, the light is there as well. This is no
place for detailed analysis of the work, and
1t is sufficient to say that in meodic form, in
the elaboration of the subjects of its several
movements, and in its Instrumentation, there
is so much to admire and to praise that criti-
clsm may well wait. The shortcomings of the
St Peter" in respect to melody find ample
atonement in the graceful theme of the first
movement of this symphony, the flowing grace
OF the dddgao. and the light and tripping
phrases of the allegro uiuace which one may be
excused for calling scherzo. The concluding
movement is the most elaborate, though not
more delcalely finished than the preceding,
being remarkable for its instrumental effects.
The performance of this symphony by Mr..
Thomas,s orchestra gave the public the oppor-
tunity of hearing it in what must be considered
most admirable rendering. 1t was heartily
applauded at the close of each movement, and
at the conclusion Mr.. Paine was called for
amid storm of enthusiasm, aud appeared on
the stage to receive the congratulations Of the
audience. 1t was distinguished success, the
enthusiasm be ing phenomenal in a Music Hall
audience