Paganini: 24 Caprices (Great Recordings of the Century)

Itzhak Perlman (Artist), Niccolo Paganini (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Niccolo Paganini
• Audio CD (March 14, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00004R95O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,665 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Bang for your Buck, June 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Paganini: 24 Caprices (Great Recordings of the Century) (Audio CD)

I find it sad that there are reviews which state that "For musicality, Perlman is the best...but there are more technically perfect recordings, and for that reason I recommend X over this one."

Perlman does indeed play with the most musicality of any violinist I have yet heard, and in my mind this is FAR more important than absolute technical perfection. There are a few technical flubs in the disc - mostly intonation. This, however, does not stop me from listening to these tracks - I enjoy them every bit as much as the "flawless caprices" because of Perlman's innate understanding of what music should sound like. He does not treat the first caprice like another etude - in the veritable overload of notes he finds musical meaning, just as he does in the beginning of the seventh.

In the liner notes there is a picture of Perlman playing with an expression of the utmost joy on his face. I think that accurately sums up this disc - both for performer and listener.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perlman is Amazing Here!, April 11, 2005

By 

Donald G. Hite III "clarinetist extraordinaire!" (Houston, Tx USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paganini: 24 Caprices (Great Recordings of the Century) (Audio CD)

I bought this CD without knowing any of the pieces (although after getting it I realized that I had heard Caprice 24 before!), so I'm saying this with no point of reference... This CD contains some breath taking music.

From the first Caprice, Perlman shines in this incredibly difficult pieces. His technique and intonation sound pretty much flawless to me, and his sound is full and beautiful.

My personal favorite Caprices are No. 1 (amazing bow work), No. 6 (double stops and tremolos galore - sounds like at least 3 violins at once!), No. 17 (quick and flawless octaves) and No. 24 (just plan amazing all around).

Despite Perlman's virtuosity, these pieces are also beautiful music. I'm very impressed with Paginini's compositional skills. He manages to write music that is incredibly difficult, but never sacrifices the music in the process.

You will be thrilled with CD. You can't go wrong (it's pretty cheap too!)

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Paganini Caprices in the world, August 14, 2005

By 

Exequiel Pitargue - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paganini: 24 Caprices (Great Recordings of the Century) (Audio CD)

I have listened to three versions of Paganini's 24 Caprices and all I can say is that this is probably the best version around period. Itzhak Perlman is someone I could worship for this recording. His rendition makes you feel that the maestro Paganini is the one playing. In its label it says "Great Recordings of the Century" I could never disagree with that.