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If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Artist: Niccolo Paganini
Author: Niccolo Paganini
Year: 1820
Last in a series of Caprices for solo violin, still the ultimate virtuosity test-piece for that particular instrument. The tune that drove composers wild, enought to make the greater part of the fiddle-tribe commit suicide or at least quit playing. Fed the legend Paganini (1782-1840) sold his soul to the devil for talent (and sex appeal).
Covers:
Franz Liszt [variation for piano as sixth part in Theme and Variations in A Minor from Grandes Etudes de Paganini]
Johannes Brahms [new variation for piano in his first Book with Paganini Variations; as much a musician's ballbreaker as Paganini's original]
Karol Szymanowski [as third Caprice in Three Caprices on Themes of Paganini]
Sergei Rachmaninoff [as Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, opus 43, a set of 24 variations on the 24th and last Caprice for solo violin, played by the maestro himself with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski; best known is the 18th Variation (Andante Cantabile) showing Paganini's theme backwards]
Miklós Rózsa [as film theme of The Story Of Three Lovers]
Winifred Atwell [idem; hit UK]
Andrew Lloyd Webber [as Variations; theme of The South Bank Show]
Witold Lutoslawski [as Paganini Variations]
Rachmaninoff's 18th Variation (Andante Cantabile) is frequently used in films; also in Somewhere In Time ('80), Groundhog Day ('93) and Sabrina ('95) and provided the basis for the first Korgis hit If I Had You ('79), covered by Tracey Ullman ('84) and Rod Stewart ('00).
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)