Paganini - Best of Paganini - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

We could also have called this disc 'The Ilya Kaler Showcase', as he is the dazzling soloist in the Violin Concertos and the 24 Caprices. The American Record Guide described them as Inchin a class by themselvesInch, and the Gramophone described him as Incha first-rate fiddlerInch. Paganini was such an incredible virtuoso that in his lifetime rumors were rife that he was possessed of the devil, a fact greatly inflamed by his appearance. He was also a highly suspicious man, the scores of his works for violin and orchestra being devoid of the violin part so that no one could become his rival in his own music. We know the date of composition of the second concerto as 1826, but the first is more doubtful, and probably as early as 1817. They are both demonstrations of violin technique, his frequent use of playing plucked notes (pizzicati) with the left hand creating a cascade of notes. He also composed a considerable amount of music for other instruments including works for violin and guitar, and the Gramophone magazine writing about the Cantone di Sonata included on this disc says Inchit is unlikely that the Centone will ever be better playedInch. Album Tracks 1. Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op. 7 Rondo 2. Centone Di Sonate, Op. 64, No. 2 Adagio 3. Centone Di Sonate, Op. 64, No. 2 Rondoncino 4. Grand Sonata Romanza 5. Grand Sonata Andantino Variato 6. 24 Caprices, Op. 1 No. 1 in E Major 7. 24 Caprices, Op. 1-No. 5 in a Minor 8. 24 Caprices, Op. 1 No. 9 in E Major 9. Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op. 7 Adagio 10. Sonata Concertata in a Major, Op. 61 Adagio Assai Espressivo 11. Sonata Concertata in a Major, Op. 61 -Randeau Allegretto Con Brio Scherzando 12. 24 Caprices Op. 1 No. 13 in B Flat Major 13. 24 Caprices Op. 1 No. 20 in D Major 14. 24 Caprices Op. 1 No. 24 in a Minor 15. Cantible in D Major, Op. 17 16. Violi