Search - Niccolo Paganini :: Nicolò Paganini: 24 Capricci For Solo Violin Op. 1

Accardo

Martin Dittmann | Czech Republic | 02/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Basically,I agree with Dr.Francessco T. above, capprices are often wrongly judged by speed and kind of showy virtuosity. Also,remember that Paganini really NEVER gave their performance in public.



Accardo is a unique violinist in his understanding of Paganini.No other violinist in the world has never recorded practically everything that was preserved from Paganini's time.

I'm judging not only by technique, but the interpretation and tone!Just compare his and Gidon Kremer's recording of 4th concerto for instance....



Speaking of this recording of 24 capprici, I'll be trying to be objective. Accardo brings its interpretation in a rather artistic way,while Perlman plays it as "pure" technical exercises (I'll be comparing with Perlman, because I do think that no other violinist - not even Ricci,Mintz,Kaler,Markov...- really reaches the qualilies of Perlman and Accardo).As far as an interpretation (tone)is concerned,I would prefer Accardo,although Perlman sounds better in octaves.Comparing the technique(not the speed),Perlman is slightly firmer in grasping the strings,but not everywhere,in general I would say that both violinists are more or less technically equal(just compare 15,16 or some other cappr.-they are almost identical which proves the virtuosity of both violinists).Perlman left hands is really slightly firmer,but in contrast, Accardo does better with his right hand (maybe here Perlman's handicap is the reason), which produces him a kind of clearer and lighter staccatos,spiccatos,ricochets and other "acrobatic" technique.



Comparing all violinist I have ever heard,my top three compared purely by technique would be: 1)Heifetz 2) Perlman/Accardo 3)the rest



One more important thing - Accardo's recording by Deutsche Grammopohon is much more analytical and clearer than EMI did with Perlman (this some Perman's not-so-sure tones are perfectly hidden).



If you seek a really natural,concentrated version of Paganinis 24 cappr.with a singing tone,void of "cheap" virtuosity and effects,try this,that's it and it's worth it.If you want all this plus you prefer slightly more robust tone,take Perlman."

Pound for pound, the best 24 Caprices recording

Martin Dittmann | 03/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Accardo version, with its intonation/accuracy issues, is still, bottom line, the best in my opinion. I have the other recordigs noted in the previous reviews and I actually rank Midori's as 2nd in my book. Perlman's, to me, is very unsatisfying and sedate. I would rate Midori's higher, but Accardo has a little more spirit and understands the score's attempted musical meaning more while Midori seems to stick to the score to the point where she will break a phrase or accentuate the wrong note and have you wondering what she's thinking. Anyhoo, it's #1 in my humble opinion."

Alli Artisti

Dr. Francesco Tassone | Italy | 03/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Paganini's masterwork is dedicated 'Alli Artisti', meaning the listeners, not the players. Paganini himself never gave public performance of his work. And rightly so. Frequently, their performance is mistakenly judged on brilliance of sound, speed, 'eclat', or artifact: public effect. It should not be so. Accardo' s performance is among the very few making justice to this masterwork. Technically it is perfect,clean,sober. Mastery of the instrument allows his intimate understanding of the music to emerge, and reach the listener. The hidden, 24-faceted gem is discreetly uncovered."