Paganiniana (Casella)
Encyclopedia
Paganiniana is a divertimento for orchestra composed in 1942 by Alfredo Casella
and based on themes of Niccolò Paganini
. The piece was composed to honor the centenary of the Vienna Philharmonic, which gave its premiere in March 1942, under the direction of Karl Böhm
. It is in four movements:
I. Allegro agitato
II. Polachetta
III. Romanza
IV. Tarantella.
The first movement is meant to portray the "satanic spirit of the great violinist", and uses four main themes, taken from Paganini's Caprices
Nos. 8, 12, 16, and 19. The second, more melancholy, movement is derived from Paganini's Quartet No. 4 for violin, viola, cello, and guitar. The third movement takes its subject from an unpublished work, appearing first as a duet for solo violin and clarinet. The finale is taken once again from the quarted, borrowing also from an unpublished dance for violin and small orchestra.
Alfredo Casella
Alfredo Casella was an Italian composer, pianist and conductor.- Life and career :Casella was born in Turin; his family included many musicians; his grandfather, a friend of Paganini's, was first cello in the San Carlo Theatre in Lisbon and eventually was soloist in the Royal Chapel in Turin...
and based on themes of Niccolò Paganini
Niccolò Paganini
Niccolò Paganini was an Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer. He was one of the most celebrated violin virtuosi of his time, and left his mark as one of the pillars of modern violin technique...
. The piece was composed to honor the centenary of the Vienna Philharmonic, which gave its premiere in March 1942, under the direction of Karl Böhm
Karl Böhm
Karl August Leopold Böhm was an Austrian conductor. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest symphonic and operatic conductors of the 20th century.- Education :...
. It is in four movements:
I. Allegro agitato
II. Polachetta
III. Romanza
IV. Tarantella.
The first movement is meant to portray the "satanic spirit of the great violinist", and uses four main themes, taken from Paganini's Caprices
24 Caprices for Solo Violin (Paganini)
The 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1 was written by Niccolò Paganini between 1802 and 1817 and published in 1819. They are also designated as M.S. 25 in Maria Rosa Moretti and Anna Sorrento's Catalogo tematico delle musiche di Niccolò Paganini, which was published in 1982...
Nos. 8, 12, 16, and 19. The second, more melancholy, movement is derived from Paganini's Quartet No. 4 for violin, viola, cello, and guitar. The third movement takes its subject from an unpublished work, appearing first as a duet for solo violin and clarinet. The finale is taken once again from the quarted, borrowing also from an unpublished dance for violin and small orchestra.