The Twenty-Four Caprices of Niccolò Paganini

by Philippe Borer

This book attempts to describe and elucidate the compositional and instrumental character of the 24 Caprices of Niccolò Paganini and their far-reaching influence on violin playing and on musical creativity up to the present time. There is also the wider inspirational value which can be traced in literature, poetry, and fine arts. CHAPTER I aims to place the 24 Caprices in their historical perspective. The reception accorded to the work by prominent musicians of the time, whose attention was drawn to the concept of virtuosity as an essential parameter in musical composition, is emphasised and examined. CHAPTER II investigates the unique significance of the dedication “to the Artists” which suggests a Romantic manifesto some ten years before Hugo's prefaces to Cromwell and to the Eastern Lyrics. CHAPTER III explores Paganini's instrumental and musical background. It has often been claimed that Paganini was self-taught. However, evidence of his all-important early training in violin and c