Paganini’s works for solo violin are among the most important and demanding in the repertoire. In addition to his famed Caprices, Op.1, Paganini wrote a series of characterful solo pieces that reveal his melodic and rhythmic gifts. Those selected here are either World Premiere Recordings or WPR of the critical edition, some – such as Alla Spagnola, the five waltzes and the Duetti – have only recently been rediscovered. His influence on Italian composers can be heard in the works he inspired from leading contemporaries and colleagues, where their preludes, caprices and études show the stylistic breadth and originality of Italian virtuosi.
