The Best of Paganini

The Best of Niccolò Paganini (27 October 1782 – 27 May 1840)

Paganini was an Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer. He was the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time, and left his mark as one of the pillars of modern violin technique. His Caprice No. 24 in A minor, Op. 1, is among the best known of his compositions, and has served as an inspiration for many prominent composers.

He was born in Genoa, then capital of the Republic of Genoa, the third of the six children of Antonio and Teresa (née Bocciardo) Paganini. Paganini's father was an unsuccessful trader, but he managed to supplement his income through playing music on the mandolin. At the age of five, Paganini started learning the mandolin from his father, and moved to the violin by the age of seven. His musical talents were quickly recognized, earning him numerous scholarships for violin lessons. The young Paganini studied under various local violinists, including Giovanni Servetto and Giacomo Costa, but his progress quickly outpaced their abilities. Paganini and his father then traveled to Parma to seek further guidance from Alessandro Rolla. But upon listening to Paganini's playing, Rolla immediately referred him to his own teacher, Ferdinando Paer and, later, Paer's own teacher, Gasparo Ghiretti. Though Paganini did not stay long with Paer or Ghiretti, the two had considerable influence on his composition style.

0:00 Violin Concerto No.2 in B minor ('La campanella'), Op. 7, MS 48- Rondo

8:27 Sonata for violin & guitar in D major (Centone di sonate, Letter A-2), MS 112-2- Adagio

12:23 Sonata for violin & guitar in D major (Centone di sonate, Letter A-2), MS 112-2- Rondoncino

16:35 Grand Sonata, for guitar & violin in A major, Op. 35, MS 3- Romanza

20:45 Grand Sonata, for guitar & violin in A major, Op. 35, MS 3- Andantino variato

29:52 Caprice for violin solo in E major (Andante), Op. 1-1- No. 1 in E major

31:46 Caprice for violin solo in A minor (Agitato), Op. 1-5- No. 5 in A minor

34:18 Caprice for violin solo in E major 'The Hunt' Op. 1-9- No. 9 in E major

37:12 Violin Concerto No.2 in B minor ('La campanella'), Op. 7, MS 48- Adagio

44:28 Sonata concertata, for guitar & violin in A major, Op. 61, MS 2- Adagio assai espressivo

48:01 Sonata concertata, for guitar & violin in A major, Op. 61, MS 2- Rondeau- Allegretto con brio scherzando

50:07 Caprice for violin solo in B flat major 'The Devil's Chuckle,' Op. 1-13- No. 13 in B flat major

52:32 Caprice for violin solo in D major (Allegretto), Op. 1-20- No. 20 in D major

56:05 Caprice for violin solo in A minor (Theme & Variations), Op. 1-24- No. 24 in A minor

1:01:02 Cantabile, for violin & piano (or guitar) in D major, (MS 109)

1:05:30 Violin Concerto No.1 in E flat major (usually transposed to D major), Op. 6, MS 21- Rondo- Allegro spirituoso