Goran Filipec, the pianist on this album, is a laureate of the Grand Prix du Disque of the Ferenc Liszt Society of Budapest, joining a list of prestigious laureates including Vladimir Horowitz and Alfred Brendel.
Historical Context
Paganini's influence on piano art was profound; Franz Liszt, after hearing him perform in 1832, entirely reformed his pianism, expanding its limits and contributing to the 'grand manner' of Romantic performance culture.
Compositional Technique
Many composers, including those on this album, were inspired to create new variations or transcriptions of Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A minor, a set of variations for solo violin, due to its tonal simplicity and endless possibilities.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924), a Tuscan-born composer and pianist, believed Paganini's output was ripe for transformation in the new century, viewing past music through a contemporary lens.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The Italian violinist and composer Nicolò Paganini (1782-1840) became an icon of instrumental virtuosity during his lifetime, influencing many 19th-century pianists to create variations and arrangements of his themes.
Recording & Production
This album features several world premiere recordings, including works by Mark Hambourg, Michael Zadora, and Boris Papandopulo.
Composer Biography
Boris Papandopulo (1906-1991), a Croatian composer, conductor, pianist, and arranger, had a varied ancestry, born in Germany to a Greek nobleman and a Croatian opera singer.
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