Paganini, Niccolo

(1782–1840)

   Born in Genoa (Genova), Paganini was a violin virtuoso who became famous across Europe for the passion and the skill of his playing, which was so striking that it was rumored to be the result of a pact with the devil. His technical genius transformed the development of the instrument, and his artistic impact on such important composers as Brahms, Liszt, Chopin, and Berlioz is well-documented. His own compositions were far from negligible: The most admired are the 24 Caprices for violin and guitar and, especially, his second violin concerto. Paganini was also a guitar virtuoso and was one of the first musicians to compose for this instrument. The culmination of Paganini’s career was his series of concerts at the imperial court in Vienna (1828) and his tours of London and Paris (1831–1834).

   The quintessential romantic artist, Paganini had a turbulent private life, enjoying numerous affairs with aristocratic patronesses and spending a fortune on prostitutes and gambling. His frenetic life worsened the throat cancer that brought about his death in Nice in 1840. Paganini’s name is venerated in Genoa, where each year since 1954 an international violin prize, the “Premio Paganini,” has been awarded. The winner is permitted to play the “cannon,” Paganini’s personal violin, which was made in 1743.