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Could a rare genetic disorder have contributed to Paganini's extraordinary dexterity? Donald Macleod charts the violinist's complex relationship with his own body, and also his preference for unproven medicines which left him with serious after-effects.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 6 Jul 201218:30
BBC Radio 3

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Episode 4Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840)

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Music Played

  • Niccolò Paganini

    Moto perpetuo in C major Op.11 (extract from radio broadcast)

    Performer: Giulio Bignani (violin)

  • Niccolò Paganini

    Moses fantaisie

    Performer: Ilia Gringolts (violin), Irina Ryumina (piano)

    • BIS.
    • CD-999.

  • Niccolò Paganini

    Ghribizzi no. 37, 38 and 16

    Performer: Marco Tamayo (guitar)

    • NAXOS.
    • 8.557598.

  • Niccolò Paganini

    Sonata per la Grand Viola

    Conductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy Performer: David-Aaron Carpenter (viola), Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra

    • ONDINE.
    • ODE 1188-2.

  • Witold Lutosławski

    Paganini Variations

    Conductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy Performer: Peter Jablonski (piano), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

    • DECCA.
    • 436 239-2-.

  • Niccolò Paganini

    Cantabile Op.17

    Performer: Ilia Gringolts (violin), Irina Ryumina (piano)

    • BIS.
    • CD-999.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Souvenir de Paganini

    Performer: Peter Katin (piano)

    • ATHENE.
    • ATH-CD11.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 6 Jul 201212:00
    BBC Radio 3
  • Fri 6 Jul 201218:30
    BBC Radio 3

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