THE first of Professor Paine's annual recitals was given last Friday evening in Boylston Hall. Before beginning his programme, he spoke briefly of the origin and development of instrumental music and of the Sonate form in particular giving the reasons for the number and sequence of the movements as well as the order of their component parts. His programme consisted of Bach's Italian Concerto in F major; Sonate Pathetique and Sonate op. 109 by Beethoven; Impromptu in G b major and Nocturne in E major by Chopin; and the Hunting Chorus from Mendelssohn's Songs without Words. The programme was one alike interesting in representing the evolution of instrumental music and strong in contrast of musical imagination, as well as highly enjoyable in its individual works, which were rendered in a conscientious manner. Mr. Paine's interpretation was especially noteworthy in the Bach Concerto. The audience - a large part of which, we are glad to say, consisted of students - seemed interested in all the numbers, paying close attention and warmly applauding. The characteristic Hunting Chorus met with especial favor.