JOHN KNOWLES PAINE (1839-1906): Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Shakespeare's Tempest, Op. 31, Overture to Shakespeare's "As You Like It".

Description: The first recording of these pieces appeared on New World 21 years ago, so it's about time for a new one. The symphony, Paine's first orchestral work of any kind, is based on Beethoven and you'll hear rhythmic elements from the Fifth in the first movement and the Seventh in the scherzo; after all, Brahms had not had his first symphony performed at the time Paine was working on his (1872-75). The 20-minute tone poem Shakespeare's Tempest (1877) fully embraces the Lisztian formal ideal if not exactly the latter's style while the 1876 As You Like It is a graceful and tuneful ten-minute confection. Ulster Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta.