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Paganini: Cantabile

Performed by K. Lee, violin/ C. Kemper, piano

 

 

 

 

 

 

Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840), was a renowned Italian virtuoso violinist and composer of technically challenging violin concerti, showpieces, quartets, sonatas, and caprices. He wrote 24 solo caprices for the violin which are widely considered the most difficult in the repertoire, containing trills, staccato, difficult double stops (double octaves and tenths) and numerous other technical hazards. Paganini so inspired audienced with his dazzling performances that even the young Chopin, having heard Paganini in Warsaw in 1829, felt compelled to commemorate the event by writing a short piece, Souvenir de Paganini.

Paganini revolutionized violin technique, and was the first concert violinist to practice the art of memorization (violinists before Paganini always used music during a concert.)

In contrast to most of his virtuosic pieces, the Cantabile is a slower, more heartfelt piece that reflects the lyrical side of Paganini's compositions, which was influencesd by operatic composers such as Rossini.