Ilya Kaler, the violinist on this recording, won the Grand Prize at the Genoa Paganini Competition in 1981, the Gold Medal at the Sibelius Competition in 1985, and the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1986.
Cultural Impact
The melody from Paganini's Caprice No. 24 was famously used by Brahms in two books of piano variations and by Rachmaninov in his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
Composition History
Paganini's 24 Caprices for solo violin, published as his Opus 1, were likely written much earlier, around 1805, when he was employed by Princess Elisa Baciocchi.
Compositional Technique
The 24 Caprices are a comprehensive display of Paganini's violin technique, designed to showcase his skills without resorting to the 'vulgar tricks' he sometimes used for audiences.
Cultural Impact
Paganini's playing inspired other 19th-century composers, including Chopin, who wrote his piano Etudes, and Liszt, who created his Paganini studies.
Composer Biography
Paganini's gaunt features and sombre clothing led to legends of an association with the Devil, which he denied, instead claiming an angelic visitation foretold his genius.
Composer Biography
Paganini's international career as a virtuoso ended in 1834 after an unsatisfactory tour of England, leading him to return to Italy.
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