Paganini: The 'Demonic' Virtuoso

All praise to Mai Kawabata for creating a badly needed analysis of Niccolo Paganini which is none the biographical review or the devil's connection which are the common rule. The book focuses on different areas such as the greatness of Paganini when performing -last sections reviews of his performances are telling, his disappointment by the devil's connection among others. A couple of highlights are accomplished by uncovering his high individualistic nature which reflects in his compositions and the structure of the six concertos for violin and the importance Paganini has in the history of music which goes certainly beyond his prodigious capability to perform and has typically being overlooked. A must for anyone interested in a serious broad analysis of this important musician or anybody interested in music.

An important book on a fascinating figure by a gifted critic/scholar/performer. Rare insights into the thinking of Paganini and his contemporaries beautifully written, researched and presented. This is an author with a special feel for the subject and the instrument they share.

I really enjoyed this thoughtful and well researched book. Kawabata offers a portrait that challenges the various myths surrounding Paganini - perhaps his talent was not born of a deal with the devil after all! In my view, though, the reality of his life as described here, draws towards becoming a metaphor of the myth. His wild hair, his peculiar performance style, the syphilis that ultimately destroyed him are balanced in these pages by a sober business head, by human tenderness and a kind of longing that is all too human. The book is written in three parts. First a biography of around 120 pages considers Paganini in the context of his, and our own times. His innovative playing style expanded forever what sounds could be coaxed from the violin. He would, for example, hurl his bow at the strings, catch it on the bounce, pluck and hammer strings with his left hand. These techniques had not been used before, at least not on the violin. Nicolo was also a guitarist and he introduced to the violinist some of the guitarist's tricks. The versatility of the instrument thus grew in his hands. He was somehow more rock star than Jimi Hendrix, a rebel, a classical musician hell-bent on interpretation of musical scores that others sought to faithfully reproduce. There follows an epilogue that further considers his legacy. Finally, a glorious collection of anecdotes and critiques demonstrate his range of influence into the twentieth century Fortunately, Paganini composed music as well as performing it. Had he not we of this era might never have known he lived, other perhaps than in myth, for he predates the age of recording technology. Others have since recorded his works, but that's another story ...

Very interesting book 😊👍

Ainda estoy en inicio del libro! Lectura interessante sobre la mitica figura de Paganini!