Niccolo Paganini: 24 Caprices, Op. 1 - Caprice No. 24 in A minor
Josef Slavík: Caprice in D major
Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst: The Last Rose of Summer
Alfred Schnittke: A Paganini
Fritz Kreisler: Caprice, Op. 6 - Recitativo and Scherzo
Pavel Šporcl: Where Is My Home
Nathan Milstein: Paganiniana (variations)
Jan Kubelík: Original Cadenza for Violin, Paganini Concerto No. 1, Op. 6
Pavel Šporcl explains: “Paganini was the best – a magician of the violin. Violin technique and the way we play today are largely due to Paganini.”
Paganini’s influence continues with Josef Slavík’s Caprice, in what is a world premiere recording. In his day, the Bohemian violinist (1806–1833) was often compared to Paganini. The only serious contender to the virtuoso crown in Paganini’s lifetime was Heinrich Ernst (1814–1865), with his variations on Last Rose of Summer. Nathan Milstein (1904-1992) was one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. As a tribute to Paganini he wrote his Paganiniana. These variations include the theme of the 24th Caprice, and from the other caprices, too. Šporcl plays his own variations on ‘Where is my homeland?’, a theme composed in 1834, which became the Czech national anthem in 1918. Alfred Schnittke (1934–1998) is the most modern composer included, with his tribute, A Paganini
The only non-violinist here, he wrote many great works for violin. Of all the violinists here, Fritz Kreisler (1875–1962) was the least virtuosic. His Recitative and Scherzo, which he dedicated to violinist Eugene Ysaye, makes a lovely encore in the Romantic style. Finally, by way of bonus, Šporcl plays the cadenza for Paganini’s Violin Concerto in D major, written by Jan Kubelík (1880–1940).
Pavel Šporcl and his famous blue violin, which was created by leading contemporary instrument maker Jan Špidlen, are celebrated around the world. He is considered in the ‘royal line’ of Czech violinists. Recording: Recording Studio of The Academy of Performing Arts, Prague, August 26, 28, 30 + 31, 2020; September 18 + 19, 2020.
