The Best of Paganini | Niccolo Paganini, Alexander Gibson, ...

The Best of Paganini | Niccolo Paganini, Alexander Gibson, ... | Unexpected Delights

classical music:

The Best of Paganini

	The Best of Paganini Niccolo Paganini, Alexander Gibson, ... Philips, 1999 average customer review:based on 6 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Excellent Introductory set of Paganini

This is a fine compilation. Not only it includes better compositions by Paganini, it also includes some of the best recorded performance of the works as well. As a musicological interest, Grumiaux and Szerying gave revival performances of no.3 and 4. The approaches the three violinists take are interesting to note as well. Szeryng and Grumiaux's playing emphasize the lyrical, aristocratic quality, whereas Gitlis emphasizes the demonic quality. And both approaches work splendidly. This set will provide an excellent introduction for people who does not know the compositions by Paganini, and will provide great pleasure for those who knows the music but has not heard them performed by these three wonderful violinists. Strongly recommended.

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Unexpected Delights

I bought this CD after hearing of the legend of Paganini - the devil on his shoulder, the playing that made people faint, the Marfan-syndrome affected joints that allowed impossible finger contortions, the immense crowds that adored him, as they did Liszt at the piano. What I expected was to hear impossible violin artistry at work, which was definitely fulfilled. What I did not expect, however, were the marvelous interludes between the violin solos. Paganini's concerti are unlike those of Beethoven and Brahms, as the violin completely dominates the attention. But the power of the full orchestra was unexpected. These are true violin showpieces, to be certain, but they are also marvelous bits of music - when the full orchestra blasts in you can't help but smile.

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An unearthly hand guides his bow

"The Devil guides his bow " was what audiences said when they heard the fast fingers of Nicolo Paganini as he performed his various Caprices and Concertos. This was not an insult. He could play with demonic speed and still maintain a great sound. He is first and foremost a violinist, a superb one. Paganini's music is also brilliant and elegant sounding. In his time, audiences were moved to tears by his slower violin movements. This proves the emotional factor is present in his music, making him a Romantic composer and nevertheless a Classical composer. Stradivari violins were being made at this time. It was a great period in music and Paganini was a legend. I highly recommend this cd containing his most gorgeous works.

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Reading about Paganini

Fans of Paganini should read Julian Livingston's novel, Paganini-The Vampire Career. In this book, P.T. Barnum has sent Henry Feder to Europe to seek out a new violinist, Nicolaties, more than 40 years after Paganini died without last rites. Nicolaties looks, performs, behaves like Paganini. Could it be him? Lots of technical references to music, as Mr. Livingston is a musician and has written 2 operas. A very interesting book for musicians, vampire lovers, and macabre 19th century European tales.

Paganini, yes, but

On the good side is the selection of pieces. I was not happy with the quality of the audio. It has a thin and weakness about it that makes me wish they'd tried harder when they produced this CD to ensure the richness of this music came through. A couple of the most familiar pieces have performances I was completely unfamiliar with, so I would recommend the CD overall for Paganini and for the excellent performances, but the product as sold deserves better engineering.

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reviews: page 1, 2

Tracks
Violin Concerto No. 1 In D, Op. 6: 1. Allegro maestoso - Nicolo Paganini | Violin Concerto No. 1 In D, Op. 6: 2. Adagio - Nicolo Paganini | 3. Rondo, Allegro spirituoso - Nicolo Paganini | I palpiti, Op.13 - Nicolo Paganini | Le streghe, Op.8 - Nicolo Paganini | Violin Concerto No. 4 In D Minor: 1. Allegro maestoso - Nicolo Paganini | Violin Concerto No. 4 In D Minor: 2. Adagio Flebile con sentimento - Nicolo Paganini | 3. Rondo galante. Andantino gaio - Nicolo Paganini | Violin Concerto No. 2 in B mnor, Op. 7 - Allegro maestoso - Various Artists | Violin Concerto No. 2 in B mnor, Op. 7 - Adagio - Various Artists | Violin Concerto No. 2 in B mnor, Op. 7 - Rondo a la clochette, La Campanella - Various Artists | Caprice For Violin No. 13 - Various Artists | Caprice For Violin No. 20 - Various Artists | Caprice For Violin No. 24 - Various Artists | Violin Concerto No. 3 in E - Introduzione Andante, Allegro marziale - Various Artists | Violin Concerto No. 3 in E - Adagio, Cantabile spianato - Various Artists | Violin Concerto No. 3 in E - Polacca, Andantino vivace - Various Artists | Moto Perpetuo, Op. 11 - Various Artists

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