Description

Rachel Barton Pine has released Bel Canto Paganini: 24 Caprices and Other Works for Solo Violin, a musical tightrope of works that samples virtually all of the most challenging techniques possible on the violin, which pays tribute to Paganini as a product of the bel canto (“beautiful signing”) era in Italy. Her 35th album marks her third release on Avie records and makes her the first American-born female violinist to record this repertoire. In tribute to Paganini’s legendary cultivation of his devilish reputation, the album has been released in stores in May, the same month as his death.

Bel Canto Paganini: 24 Caprices and Other Works for Solo Violin includes all 24 Caprices, as well as Paganini’s Introduction and Variations on ‘Nel cor più non mi sento from Paisiello’s La molinara; Duet for One, and Caprice d’adieu. Rachel marks the profound influence Paganini’s compositions have had on her by concluding the album with her own Introduction, Theme and Variations on ‘God Defend New Zealand, inspired by Paganini’s legacy of creating virtuosic themes and variations.