Paganini dedicated his first guitar quartet (M.S. 28) to his younger sister, Nicoletta, possibly as a wedding gift for her marriage in February 1813.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Paganini's initial concern in his quartets was not to always compose with "all violin obbligato," meaning the violin was not always the sole dominant instrument.
Critical Reception
Despite being considered the "apex of Paganini's chamber production" by musicologists, his guitar quartets are still not part of the standard repertoire and have few recordings.
Composition History
Paganini began composing his guitar quartets around 1813, dedicating them to friends and acquaintances in Genoa.
Performer Biography
Alexander Swete, one of Austria's leading guitarists, achieved his international breakthrough in 1991 by winning first prize at the International Guitar Competition of Radio France in Paris.
Composition History
While some of Paganini's guitar quartets were published during his lifetime, others, including Quartet No. 9 on this album, remained unpublished until recently or are still unpublished.
Performer Biography
Mario Hossen, the founder of the Paganini Ensemble Vienna and a leading interpreter of Paganini's music, performs on a 1749 G.B. Guadagnini violin provided by the Austrian National Bank.
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