Great Violin Players You Should Know: 1: Niccolo Paganini

This is the first post on famous violinists of the past that violin students should know something about.
Spotify Playlist 
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yqqecyPEeJy0GFDoXVqpe

The  first great violinist on my list was born before recording and photography began so we have only the reports of his legendary skill and of course the pieces he wrote. Paganini is still recognized as the most remarkable violinist of all time and one of the world's first international superstars.

 Niccolò Paganini was born in Genoa, Italy in 1782. Paganini's first instrument was the mandolin. When he was seven, he switched to the violin.  He came up with new, dazzling effects on the violin that people had never heard before. His rock star personality onstage had a great influence on Franz Liszt, who decided he wanted to be the Paganini of the piano. Paganini's best-known composition is a set of 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, especially the Caprice #24, which has inspired pieces by dozens of other composers.

Stories of Paganini's performances are legendary, with audiences said to have been moved to tears and hysteria. His astonishing technical ability led many to believe that his mother had sold his soul to the devil in return for a career as the greatest virtuoso in the world. Paganini made a lot of money but he was known for his excessive gambling that at one point forced him to pawn his own violin. By the mid-1830s Paganini's health and ability began to fail and he died in May 1840 from internal hemorrhaging before a priest could be summoned. This added to suspicions that he had entered a pact with the devil.

 Paganini came to perform in Dublin. The concert didn't start out too well for him. Here is an newspaper article recalling the performance 

 'Many years ago I heard an old music lover boast proudly that he had heard Paganini play in Dublin. I am reminded that in 1831 a musical festival was held in Dublin, under the conductorship of Sir George Smart, and the promoters decided to engage the services of the world-famous violinist at a very high fee. Paganini was not only a marvellous violinist, but he was also an accomplished actor. When he came on the stage of the Theatre Royal before his packed audience, he stood for a few moments, as if thinking what he should play. Read the full article published in 1931 here        https://www.irishtimes.com/news/paganini-in-dublin-1.271643

More fascinating facts about Paganini here https://www.connollymusic.com/stringovation/8-secrets-of-paganini

Caprice: A capriccio or caprice, is a piece of music, usually fairly free in form and of a lively character. The typical capriccio is one that is fast, intense, and often virtuosic in nature.
Check out Paganini's best known piece in the videos below and in the tracks on the Spotify playlist.

A version of this appeared on a Grade 3 ABRSM syllabus recently. It is a great piece to have in your repertoire.

Quiz

1: Where was Paganini born (Which country) ?
2: What century was he performing in ?
3: Why don't we have any recordings of him.?
4: What was his nickname?
5: Who recorded a rock fusion version of his 24th Caprice?

Check out this classical rock fusion version played by Juliajn Lloyd Weber