Periods of MusicPeriods of Music

Common Practice Period (1600-1900)

Baroque, Classical, Romantic

Paganini’s Place in Music

Early LifeEarly Life

Born in Genoa, Italy in 1782

Studied with various Violinists in his youth

French invasion of Italy in 1796 forced Paganini to move

As a Young VirtuosoAs a Young Virtuoso

His early performances were not well received

Gained a reputation as a gambler and a womanizer

His technical ability and compositional talent however was met with critical acclaim

As a ComposerAs a Composer

Paganini only played his own compositions

His 24 Caprices

Incorporation of new ideas/techniques for the violin

His time in FranceHis time in France

Most of his time in France was spent composing and appreciating French music and culture

Tried to open up Casino, which ended in total failure

Died in 1840 from tuberculosis

His Contributions to the His Contributions to the ViolinViolin

His technical ability on the instrument to this day has been unparalleled

Many times Paganini has been referred to as a phenomenon of the violin and a new way to approach the instrument

Originally shunned for his technical ability, later praised for it

His Violins His Violins

Paganini’s violins were handcrafted to his exact specifications

His most famous violins were by Antonio Stradivari

His main instrument is still on loan today, and four of his instruments are played by the Paganini Quartet

His MusicianshipHis Musicianship

Spent years perfecting is craft

His ability in composition and in his playing has yet to be matched

To even consider attempting one of his pieces, a musician should already be considered a virtuoso

The MythsThe Myths

He was said to be a vampire

He was scolded and condemned by the Roman Catholic Church

He sold his soul to the devil

His LegacyHis Legacy

His works inspire musicians of all genres

Truly represents what a virtuoso is

Representative of what happens when someone is completely focused on their craft

Works CitedWorks Cited

Campbell, Margaret. The Great Violinists. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1981. Print.

Saussine, Renée De. Paganini. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1970. Print.

Wheeler, Opal, and Henry S. Gillette. Paganini: Master of Strings. New York: Dutton, 1950. Print.

www.thirteen.org/publishers/violin/paganini.html

www.viola-in-music.com/nicolo-paganini.html