Nicolo Paganini

Paganini was the greatest violinist of his age, exercising a strong influence on the developing technique of violin-playing and, through his virtuosity on the instrument, on the ambitions of performers on other instruments.

Born in Genoa in 1782, he studied there, at first with his father.

He spent eight years, from 1801, at Lucca, later as solo violinist to the court of Napoleon's sister, installed there as ruler by her brother.

From 1810 he travelled as a virtuoso, at first in Italy and then, from 1828, abroad, causing a sensation wherever he went, his phenomenal technique giving rise to rumours of diabolical assistance.

It is well known that Paganini rarely practiced after his 30^th birthday. Those who were closely associated with him used to marvel at his brilliant technique and watched him closely to discover how he retained it.

In performance Paganini enjoyed playing tricks, like tuning one of his strings a semitone high, or playing the majority of a piece on one string after breaking the other three. He astounded audiences with techniques that included harmonics, double stops, pizzicato with the left as well as the right hand, and near impossible fingerings and bowings.  

He was even said to have made a pact with the devil in order to attain his virtuosity... But what they didn't know was the hours he practiced in order to attain his great virtuosity and the ease of which he performed... And with his long black hair and his pale complexion, they believed that it was true. Later, when he lost his teeth, his face had a sunken ion appearance, which just made things worse.

Antonia Bianchi, a singer who toured with Niccolo in 1825, bore him a son, Cyrus Alexander on July 23, 1825. Although they were never married, he did lavish affection on his son for the rest of his life.

His career went into partial decline from 1834, followed by a significant deterioration in health.

He died in Nice in 1840.

Some of his most famous works are:

Capriccio no.2 for solo violin

"Molto perpetuo" for solo violin

Capriccio no. 16 - Presto

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