Clesh: Paganini caprice 23

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Paganini caprice 23

5 minutes, 1 second long

Published 23 December, 2009

Keywords: Jack Glatzer
The 23rd caprice continues the feeling that we had in the 13th caprice, the demonic. It starts with very loud and strong octaves on the upper two strings, representing, I think the trumpets, and we remember that Paganini was known for imitating practically any instrument he desired. The trumpets are answered on the G string with a low brazen sound something like maybe like a trombone. And then Paganini brings his favourite device back, the devils laughter, this time in octaves searing up on the upper two strings and then suddenly jerking back. [Music] And then comes a demonic dance in the second part. What a strange sound this is, of swatting three strings at once, ricocheting in a rather harsh way and then very quickly twisting from one string to the other. [Music] A very difficult technique which required an incredible looseness of wrist. And people loved to see this, they thought they might see the devil on the stage. In any case Paganini knew this, and he once said 'No-one asks whether they have heard Paganini, they always ask have they seen Paganini.' [Music]