John Knowles Paine
b. Portland, Maine, January 9, 1839
d. Cambridge, Mass., April 25, 1906
Biography
Born in nineteenth century America, John Knowles Paine's earliest memories
revolved around music. His father owned a music store and directed the local
band. Paine himself studied with H. Kotzschman before traveling to Berlin to
study under Haupt, Fischer, and Wieprecht. He remained in Germany from 1858
to 1861, and performed throughout Europe before returning to the United
States.
Paine settled in Boston and was appointed organist of the West Church. He
began teaching music at Harvard in 1862, and in 1875 he became a professor
of musicthe first in America.
Paine spent the majority of his life struggling to raise the level of organ
playing and musicianship in the United States. (When in Berlin his American
nationality was viewed by Germans as a handicap). Though his works were
never considered avante garde, they are substantial and infused with
inspiration.
Points of Interest
- Paine was one of the founding members of the American Guild of Organists
- He was partially responsible for the installation of the Walcker organ in
Boston, the case of which inspired the design for the Mormon Tabernacle
organ.
Representative Works
- Double Fugue on God Save the Queen
- Concert Variations on the Austrian Hymn
- Variations on the Star Spangled Banner
- Concert Variations upon Old Hundredth
- Various Preludes, Fantasia, Fugues, etc. (many unpublished)