Music: Niccolò Paganini as the Soloist

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When it comes to remarkable violinist of the romantic era, there is none better than Niccolò Paganini. Born on the 27, of October 1782, in Genoa, Italy, he was a man know for his incredible talent and skill. His father taught him how to play the mandolin at the age of five, he then picked up the violin two years later when he was seven. Even as a child his potential was immediately noticed, therefore he was offered various scholarships for violin lessons. As he matured and the French invaded Italy, he began playing concerts with his father in Livorno. The next couple years for Paganini included recognition for his technique and his incredible musicianship despite his hand deformation.. With works such as his Concertos No. 1-4, Paganini was unequivocally an influential and inspiring composer.

Paganini came from an underprivileged background. His father was a dockworker with six children, Paganini being the third of those six. Paganini's father taught him how to play the mandolin at the age of five and then the violin at the age of seven. His father (according to Paganini) would starve him if he refused to work hard enough. By the age of seven he was already composing music and numerous local violinists recognized his incredible potential. Violinists like Giovanni Servetto and Giacomo Costa began giving him lessons, but Paganini quickly surpassed his instructors’ abilities. Soon after, Paganini began to study harmony with Francesco Gnecco.

Niccolò Paganini's first known performance was at the church of Saint Filippo Neri on May 26, 1794. After significant progress, Paganini traveled to Parma with his father to study with Alessandro Rolla. To cover the expense of the trip Paganini played a special concert on July 31, 1795. Afte...

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... lost during his economical hardship. Giuseppe Guarneri, a rich business man awarded him a violin as a teenager because he was very impressed by his playing. Guarneri once again awarded him another violin after winning a sight-reading challenge later on.

August Duranowski and Pietro Locatelli were Paganini's biggest musical and technical influences. Although Paganini developed his own techniques, he believed that these men were innovators and had amazing showmanship. Because of Marfan syndrome, Paganini could play three octaves across four strings with one hand.

Paganini was a gifted musician and a brilliant person. He inspired many during his life and even after his death. His showmanship and talent was beyond anything anyone of the period had seen. Niccolò Paganini was probably one of the most talented violinist and perhaps musician in history.

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