Nicolò Paganini: 24 Capricci For Solo Violin Op. 1

Niccolo Paganini (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Niccolo Paganini
• Audio CD (January 18, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GCT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,009 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

24 capricci per violino solo, op.1 Salvatore Accardo, violine digitally remastered

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accardo, February 7, 2002

By 

Martin Dittmann "Martind84" (Czech Republic) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nicolò Paganini: 24 Capricci For Solo Violin Op. 1 (Audio CD)

Basically,I agree with Dr.Francessco T. above, capprices are often wrongly judged by speed and kind of showy virtuosity. Also,remember that Paganini really NEVER gave their performance in public.

Accardo is a unique violinist in his understanding of Paganini.No other violinist in the world has never recorded practically everything that was preserved from Paganini's time.
I'm judging not only by technique, but the interpretation and tone!Just compare his and Gidon Kremer's recording of 4th concerto for instance....

Speaking of this recording of 24 capprici, I'll be trying to be objective. Accardo brings its interpretation in a rather artistic way,while Perlman plays it as "pure" technical exercises (I'll be comparing with Perlman, because I do think that no other violinist - not even Ricci,Mintz,Kaler,Markov...- really reaches the qualilies of Perlman and Accardo).As far as an interpretation (tone)is concerned,I would prefer Accardo,although Perlman sounds better in octaves.Comparing the technique(not the speed),Perlman is slightly firmer in grasping the strings,but not everywhere,in general I would say that both violinists are more or less technically equal(just compare 15,16 or some other cappr.-they are almost identical which proves the virtuosity of both violinists).Perlman left hands is really slightly firmer,but in contrast, Accardo does better with his right hand (maybe here Perlman's handicap is the reason), which produces him a kind of clearer and lighter staccatos,spiccatos,ricochets and other "acrobatic" technique.

Comparing all violinist I have ever heard,my top three compared purely by technique would be: 1)Heifetz 2) Perlman/Accardo 3)the rest

One more important thing - Accardo's recording by Deutsche Grammopohon is much more analytical and clearer than EMI did with Perlman (this some Perman's not-so-sure tones are perfectly hidden).

If you seek a really natural,concentrated version of Paganinis 24 cappr.with a singing tone,void of "cheap" virtuosity and effects,try this,that's it and it's worth it.If you want all this plus you prefer slightly more robust tone,take Perlman.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat disappointing, October 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nicolò Paganini: 24 Capricci For Solo Violin Op. 1 (Audio CD)

I was slightly dissapointed by this recording. Accardo is famous for his Paganini recordings and interpretations. . . his recording of the 6 violin concertos with Charles Dutoit only prove that claim. However, these caprices aren't what I expected. The technique is spotty and inconsistent, particularly with the chords and double-stops. Also, the intonation is pretty unreliable and the articulation is clumsy. For anyone buying a recording of these caprices, I would recommend the Kaler, Mintz, Ehnes, or Perlman recordings before considering the Accardo. For the Accardo fans out there, go buy his recording of Paganini's 6 violin concertos with Dutoit. Now here is where Accardo redeems himself as one of the greatest performers of Paganini.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pound for pound, the best 24 Caprices recording, March 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Nicolò Paganini: 24 Capricci For Solo Violin Op. 1 (Audio CD)

The Accardo version, with its intonation/accuracy issues, is still, bottom line, the best in my opinion. I have the other recordigs noted in the previous reviews and I actually rank Midori's as 2nd in my book. Perlman's, to me, is very unsatisfying and sedate. I would rate Midori's higher, but Accardo has a little more spirit and understands the score's attempted musical meaning more while Midori seems to stick to the score to the point where she will break a phrase or accentuate the wrong note and have you wondering what she's thinking. Anyhoo, it's #1 in my humble opinion.