John Knowles Paine (Jan. 9, 1839 - April 25, 1906) was an organist and composer born in Maine, to a musical family. HIs grandfather built pipe organs, and his father and uncles were all music teachers. In the 1850s, Paine took organ and compositions with Hermann Kotzschmar, and completed his first composition (a string quartet) in 1855. He was appointed organist of Portland's Haydn Society, and gave recitals to help fund a trip to Europe. Upon arriving in Europe, Paine studied organ with Carl August Haupt, and orchestration with Friedrich Wilhelm Wieprecht. His reputation as an organist grew as he gave recitals throughout Europe.  He returned to the US in 1861, and was appointed Harvard's first University organist and choirmaster. He gave free courses in music appreciation and theory that would become the core curriculum for Harvard's new academic music department, and Paine would become their first music professor. He was a professor there until 1905, only a year before his death.

As a composer, Paine was a part of the Second New England School, more commonly known as he Boston six, along with Amy Beach, George Whitefield Chadwick, Arthur Foote, Edward MacDowell, and Horatio Parker.  He wrote several symphonic works, in addition to pieces for his own instrument, the organ and also the piano.  Today we are  looking at a work for the piano entitled Romance. This short work in D-flat major starts with four descending notes which make up the main theme. Unsurprisingly, based on his studies, there is a hint of German Romanticism throughout. There isn't an extensive amount of development from the main theme, but rather Paine focuses on the harmonies surrounding it, and attends to he pleasantness of the melodic phrases throughout. It's a charming work that will please many ears!

Here is a recording of this wonderful work for you to enjoy!

Denver Oldham