Niccolò Paganini was an Italian violinist, guitarist, and composer born in 1782 in Genoa, Italy. He is considered a musical genius known for developing advanced violin techniques and compositions. Rumors spread that his extraordinary musical skills were due to him selling his soul to the devil. He suffered from a chronic illness that gave him hypermobility in his joints which aided his musical abilities. His most famous compositions were his 24 Caprices for Solo Violin. Paganini revolutionized violin playing and composed music well beyond the limits of the instruments and techniques of his time.

1. Music for the devil: Niccolò Paganini Bárbara Lara del Río El Altillo School

2. General outline Biography. A fated genius? A gift or a disease? Compositions. Instruments. His legacy in our music. Summary. Test.

3. Biography Violinist, guitarist and composer. October 27, 1782 (Italy) May 27, 1840 (France) Modern violin techniques. A son ( Achilles Cyrus Alexander) with Antonia Bianchi. Miser and careless. Wild life, gambler.

5. A fated genius? Paganini’s mother premonition about his ability. Five years old mandolin Seven years old violin Ten hours a day. No food. Alessandro Rolla: “I have nothing to teach you”. Internationally recognized. Demoniac fame.

7. A gift or a disease? Laxity and hypermobility. Cronic illness: -Marfan syndrome: - Long limbs and fingers. - Defects on patient’s aorta valve. -Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: - Laxity and hypermobility. - 11 types. Paganini type 3.

8. Compositions He composed for his own concerts. Evolution in violin techniques. 24 caprices for violin (1805-1809). 15 quartets for guitar (1806-1820).

9. Caprice No. 24 in A minor http:// www.youtube.com / watch?v = kn3HLT7mzoQ & feature = related Most famous piece of Paganini. Theme, 11 variations, final. Most difficult piece. Highly advanced techniques, fast movements.

10. Instruments Livron gave him “Il Cannone Guarnerius” Guarneri violin. Two Amati violins. Three Stradivari violins. Two Stradivari violas. Two Stradivari cellos. Etc.

11. “ Il Cannone Guarnerius”

12. His legacy in our music Agility of the fingers and the bow were considered unorthodox. Paganini didn’t create any new technique, but he popularized them. He could play impossible pieces thanks to his flexibility.

13. Summary Italian violinist, guitarist and composer (1782-1840). Paganini sold his soul to the devil to reach extraordinary skills. Cronic illness which gave him laxity and hipermobility. Most famous compositions: 24 Caprices. His main violin: “Il Cannone Guarnerius”. He revolutionized the music of his era.

14. Test Paganini was born in: a) Parma b) Genoa c) Nice Which was his main violin? a) A stradivarius b) An Amati c) A Guarneri Did he invented any new violin technique?

15. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION