Classical Music / Composer's Datebook
Niccolò (or Nicolò) Paganini, (October 27, 1782 - May 27, 1840), was born in Genoa, Italy. He was a violinist, violist, guitarist and composer. He is one of the most famous violin virtuosi, considered one of the greatest violinists of all-time, with perfect intonation and innovative techniques.
Although eighteenth century Europe had seen several extraordinary violinists, Paganini was the preeminent violin virtuoso of the nineteenth century.
Niccolò Paganini was born in Genoa to Antonio and Teresa (née Bocciardo) Paganini. According to his biographer Peter Lichtenthal, Paganini first learned to play the mandolin from his father at the age of five, moved to the violin by the age of seven, and began composing before he turned eight. He gave his first public concert at the age of 12.
In his early teens Paganini studied under various teachers, but he could not cope well with his success; at the age of 16, he was gambling and drinking. His career was saved by an unknown lady, who took him to her estate where he recovered and studied the violin for three years. He also played the guitar during this time.
Below is Paganini's famous Caprice No. 24 in A minor, performed by Alexander Markov. It is the final caprice of Niccolò Paganini's 24 Caprices, and a famous work for solo violin. The work, in the key of A minor, consists of a theme, 11 variations, and a finale. His 24 Caprices were probably composed in 1817, while he was in the service of the Baciocchi court. Violin Caprice No. 24's familiar, dance-like theme has inspired great sets of variations by other composers including Brahms, Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski, and most famous is Sergey Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
The key works of Paganini:
Paganini's "La campanella" has served as the name of the third movement (Rondo) of Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op 7, he composed in Italy, 1826. The character of the bell is imitated in the orchestra and in some of the soloist's passages featuring harmonics, where the tune was reinforced metaphorically by a 'little handbell' portrayed by the top note jumps needing to be played within the timeframe of a 16th note.
"La campanella" when it is credited to Paganini is not entirely true as it is actually the third movement (Rondo) of his Violin Concerto No. 2. This third movement has also served as the basis of compositions by other composers, examples given: the Étude S. 140 No. 3 "La campanella" by Liszt, and Johann Strauss I's "Walzer à la Paganini Op. 11". In particular "La campanella'' is the nickname given to the third of Franz Liszt's six Grandes études de Paganini, S. 141 (1851), in the key of G-sharp minor. This piece is a revision of an earlier version from 1838, the Études d'exécution transcendente d'après Paganini, S. 140. Therefore, when referred as a simply "La campanella" it could as well mean Liszt's "La campanella" (interpreted by pianist Evgeny Kissin).
Suggested Link:
Six of the Best Works by Paganini. Classic-Music.Com / BBC Music Magazine.
Video Credit:
Paganini's Caprice 24. Youtube, uploaded by Crackadackas. Accessed October 27, 2016.
Resources:
Kennedy, Michael & Joyce, and Tim Rutherford-Johnson, Ed. Oxford Dictionary of Music, 6th Edition. Oxford: OUP: 2012.
Sadie, Stanley, Ed. The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music. London: Macmillan, 1994.
Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org (including Paganini biography, Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 2, and La campanella)
Note: This is short version of a longer piece I originally published for Suite101.com, October 2007.
(c) October 2012. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
Italian virtuoso and composer Niccolo Paganini
Niccolò (or Nicolò) Paganini, (October 27, 1782 - May 27, 1840), was born in Genoa, Italy. He was a violinist, violist, guitarist and composer. He is one of the most famous violin virtuosi, considered one of the greatest violinists of all-time, with perfect intonation and innovative techniques.
Although eighteenth century Europe had seen several extraordinary violinists, Paganini was the preeminent violin virtuoso of the nineteenth century.
Niccolò Paganini was born in Genoa to Antonio and Teresa (née Bocciardo) Paganini. According to his biographer Peter Lichtenthal, Paganini first learned to play the mandolin from his father at the age of five, moved to the violin by the age of seven, and began composing before he turned eight. He gave his first public concert at the age of 12.
In his early teens Paganini studied under various teachers, but he could not cope well with his success; at the age of 16, he was gambling and drinking. His career was saved by an unknown lady, who took him to her estate where he recovered and studied the violin for three years. He also played the guitar during this time.
Below is Paganini's famous Caprice No. 24 in A minor, performed by Alexander Markov. It is the final caprice of Niccolò Paganini's 24 Caprices, and a famous work for solo violin. The work, in the key of A minor, consists of a theme, 11 variations, and a finale. His 24 Caprices were probably composed in 1817, while he was in the service of the Baciocchi court. Violin Caprice No. 24's familiar, dance-like theme has inspired great sets of variations by other composers including Brahms, Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski, and most famous is Sergey Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
The key works of Paganini:
- 24 Caprices for solo violin
- Violin Concerto No. 1
- Violin Concerto No. 2, with third movement (Rondo) "La campanella" / "La Clochette" ('The Little Bell').* (Rondo performed by Sir Yehudi Menuhin, violinist; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Alberto Erede,conductor.)
- Violin Concerto No. 3
- Variations of 'God Save the King, for violin and corchestra
- Violin Concertos Nos. 4 and 5'
Paganini's "La campanella" has served as the name of the third movement (Rondo) of Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op 7, he composed in Italy, 1826. The character of the bell is imitated in the orchestra and in some of the soloist's passages featuring harmonics, where the tune was reinforced metaphorically by a 'little handbell' portrayed by the top note jumps needing to be played within the timeframe of a 16th note.
"La campanella" when it is credited to Paganini is not entirely true as it is actually the third movement (Rondo) of his Violin Concerto No. 2. This third movement has also served as the basis of compositions by other composers, examples given: the Étude S. 140 No. 3 "La campanella" by Liszt, and Johann Strauss I's "Walzer à la Paganini Op. 11". In particular "La campanella'' is the nickname given to the third of Franz Liszt's six Grandes études de Paganini, S. 141 (1851), in the key of G-sharp minor. This piece is a revision of an earlier version from 1838, the Études d'exécution transcendente d'après Paganini, S. 140. Therefore, when referred as a simply "La campanella" it could as well mean Liszt's "La campanella" (interpreted by pianist Evgeny Kissin).
Suggested Link:
Six of the Best Works by Paganini. Classic-Music.Com / BBC Music Magazine.
Video Credit:
Paganini's Caprice 24. Youtube, uploaded by Crackadackas. Accessed October 27, 2016.
Resources:
Kennedy, Michael & Joyce, and Tim Rutherford-Johnson, Ed. Oxford Dictionary of Music, 6th Edition. Oxford: OUP: 2012.
Sadie, Stanley, Ed. The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music. London: Macmillan, 1994.
Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org (including Paganini biography, Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 2, and La campanella)
Note: This is short version of a longer piece I originally published for Suite101.com, October 2007.
(c) October 2012. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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