Caprice No. 24 (Paganini)  

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A Scheme for abolishing all Words is one of the wittiest and smartest comments on semantics. (Illustration: extreme close-up from the movie "The Big Swallow" (1901), produced and directed by James Williamson (1855-1933)

Caprice No. 24 in A minor is the final caprice of Niccolò Paganini's 24 Caprices, and a famous work for solo violin. The work, in the key of A minor, consists of a theme, 11 variations, and a finale.

It is widely considered one of the most difficult pieces written for the solo violin. It requires many highly advanced techniques such as parallel octaves and rapid shifting covering many intervals, extremely fast scales and arpeggios including minor scales in thirds and tenths, left hand pizzicato, high positions, and quick string crossing. As a result, most violinists even after studying for many years still lack the technique required for such a demanding piece.

Variations on the Theme

The caprice has provided a rich seam of material for works by subsequent composers. Compositions based on it, and transcriptions of it, include:

  • Leopold Auer − arranged it for violin with piano accompaniment, and added some variations of his own
  • BanYa - "Caprice of Otada" is based on Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini and is used in Pump it Up NX2
  • Alison Balsom - Recorded a version transcribed for trumpet
  • James Barnes − "Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Niccolo Paganini", a wind band arrangement with each variation as a soli for a particular section
  • Boris BlacherVariations on a Theme by Paganini (1947), for orchestra
  • Hans BottermundVariations on a Theme by Paganini
  • Johannes BrahmsVariations on a Theme of Paganini , Op. 35 (1862-63), for solo piano (2 books)
  • Luigi Dallapiccola − Sonatina canonica in mi bemolle maggiore su "Capricci" di Niccolo Paganini : per pianoforte (1946)
  • Michael Faith − "24th Caprice" for solo electric guitar
  • Eliot Fisk − transcribed all 24 Caprices for solo guitar
  • Ignaz Friedman - Studies on a Theme of Paganini, op.47b (1914)
  • Benny GoodmanCaprice XXIV
  • The Great Kat − adapted the 24th Caprice for electric guitar
  • Raaf Hekkema − Transcribed and Arranged it for solo Alto Saxophone
  • Wiktor Labunski − "Four Variations on a Theme by Paganini," for solo piano
  • Franz Liszt - Grande Fantaisie de bravoure sur La Clochette for solo piano. S.420 (1832-4)
  • Franz Liszt − the sixth and last of his Études d'exécution transcendante d'après Paganini for solo piano, S.140 (1838)
  • Franz Liszt - the above work (S.140/6) was revised and simplified in 1850 as the sixth and last of the Six Grandes Études de Paganini for solo piano, S.141)
  • Franz Liszt - Grand Fantaisie (Variations) sur des thèmes de Paganini for solo piano, S.700
  • Andrew Lloyd WebberVariations (1977), Variations (album) originally for cello and rock band, later also arranged for cello and orchestra; Song & Dance - the Dance part is a reworked version of Variations
  • Paul Luongo − Adapted version of "Paganini's 24th Caprice" for solo ukulele
  • Witold LutosławskiVariations on a Theme by Paganini (1940-41), for two pianos; in 1978 he made a version for piano and orchestra
  • Janice Martin − "Paganinimania", an arrangement of the 24th Caprice with orchestral accompaniment
  • Nathan MilsteinPaganiniana, an arrangement of the 24th Caprice, with variations based on the other caprices
  • Robert Muczynski - 'Desperate Measures' Paganini Variations Op. 48
  • Pavel Necheporenko - Variations on a Theme by Paganini, transcribed for unaccompanied balalaika.
  • Simon Proctor − "Paganini Metamorphasis" for Solo Piano
  • Frank ProtoCapriccio di Niccolo for Trumpet and Orchestra (1994). Nine Variants on Paganini for Double Bass and Orchestra, also for Double Bass and Piano (2001). Paganini in Metropolis for Clarinet and Wind Symphony (2001), also for Clarinet and Orchestra (2002).
  • Sergei RachmaninoffRhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 (1934), a set of twenty four variations for piano and orchestra
  • Fazil SayPaganini Variations for solo piano
  • Stanisław Skrowaczewski − Concerto Nicolò for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra, 2003
  • Karol Szymanowski : third caprice from "Three caprices about Paganini themes" for violin and piano (1918)
  • Joseph I. Vance − 'Variations on a Caprice', for 2 guitars, bass, and drums (composed May 2007)
  • Philip WilbyPaganini Variations, for both wind band and brass band
  • Yngwie Malmsteen - Used the main theme for an interlude on electric guitar on the song Prophet of Doom, from his album War to End All Wars.




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