Paganini: Complete Quartets for String Trio and Guitar, Vol. 1

Mendelssohn, Vladimir, Mesirca, Alberto, Rowland, Daniel

96872

Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840) was an Italian composer and virtuoso violinist, widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time. Apart from his compositions for his own instrument the violin he is also known for his extensive chamber music works, including his quartets for guitar and string trio. These quartets are considered some of the most challenging works for the guitar, an important contribution to the repertoire for guitar and strings.

The quartets were composed in the early 19th century, at a time when the guitar was gaining popularity as a solo instrument, and Paganini was one of the first composers to write extensively for the guitar. His quartets helped to establish the guitar as a legitimate concert instrument, and paved the way for future generations of composers to write works for the guitar.

Paganini's quartets for guitar and string trio are characterized by their virtuosic solo passages for the guitar, as well as intricate interplay between the guitar and the three string instruments. These works showcase Paganini's mastery of counterpoint, harmony, and melody, they are technically demanding works, but delightful in their charm, wit and melodious brilliance.

Played with immense love and inspiration by a group of excellent soloists, masters of their instrument: Daniel Rowland (violin), Joël Waterman (viola), Razvan Popovici (viola), Claude Frochaux (cello), Maja Bogdanović (cello) and Alberto Mesirca (guitar). The idea of the recording project was born between Alberto Mesirca and Vladimir Mendelssohn, the much lamented violist of international fame, who passed away in 2021 and whose last recording can be heard in the quartets nos. 8 and 12.

Works:

•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 4/1, MS28
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 2 in C major, Op. 4/2, MS29
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 3 in A major, Op. 4/3, MS30
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 4 in D Major, Op. 5/1, MS31
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 5 in C Major, Op. 5/2, MS32
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 6 in D minor, Op. 5/3, MS33
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 7 in E major, MS34
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 8 in A Major, MS35
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 9 in D Major, MS36
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 10 in A Major, MS37
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 11 in B Major, MS38
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 12 in A minor, MS39
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 13 in F Major, MS40
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 14 in A major, MS41
•Paganini: Guitar Quartet No. 15 in A minor, MS42

CD x 3

Brilliant Classics

04/05/2023

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