Paganini: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Featuring

Ernest Bour
Salvatore Accardo
Maria Bergmann
SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg
Niccolò Paganini

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Historical Context

Due to his extraordinary skill and the widespread superstition of his era, many ludicrous legends were concocted about Paganini, including rumors of him being in league with the devil.

Compositional Technique

Paganini introduced sensational technical innovations for the violin, including double-stopping flageolet tones, left-hand pizzicato, rapid staccatos on a single bow stroke, and playing exclusively on the G-string into the highest ranges.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Paganini himself stated his greatest law for composing was "varietà e unità in arte" (variety and unity in art), which he found difficult to combine.

Composer Biography

Niccolò Paganini, a native of Genoa, revolutionized violin playing and is still considered the symbol of the violin virtuoso.

Recording & Production

This 1968 recording of Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 1 features a drastically shortened orchestral introduction in the first movement, a common practice at the time.

Performer Biography

Salvatore Accardo, born in Turin in 1941, gained renown early on as a leading interpreter of Paganini's legacy, publicly playing all 24 Caprices at age thirteen.