In the afternoon of 27 May 1840, the greatest violinist the world had ever known died at the age of 57. Niccolò Paganini had revolutionised violin technique and essentially invented the concept of the virtuoso performer. His legendary 24 Caprices,

The prevailing image of Niccolò Paganini immediately brings his thunderous violin concertos to mind. Hardly surprising, as they are such wondrous orchestral spectacles where Paganini tamed the instrument like a wild stallion. And let’s not forget the legendary 24 Caprices,

In the 19th-century concert hall, Niccolò Paganini emerged like a figure plucked from a dark fairy tale. His tall, gaunt frame was cloaked in black, with his long jet-black hair trailing like a shadow. He moved with quiet intensity, and

The demon violinist, Niccoló Paganini (1782–1840), the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his day and who is still known today, wrote a set of 24 caprices for solo violin between 1802 and 1817. The caprices (meaning ‘a sudden and unaccountable

We associate the name of Niccolò Paganini 1782–1840) with the violin and his seemingly demonic playing. However, the less talented are always quick to impugn the true talent of a virtuoso – the devil had to have a hand! Paganini

Niccolò Paganini had never been a picture of perfect health. His physical appearance—tall and thin with long arms, legs, fingers, and toes, and exceptional flexibility of his joints—recently gave rise to suggestions that he suffered from “Marfan Syndrome.” Although no

Niccolò Paganini gave the world a new kind of musician, the musical superstar with a devoted following. Everything he did in performance, including his love for black clothes, his carefully disheveled hair, and his over-the-top mannerisms, was deliberately planned to