Cantabile by Paganini performed by George (11)

Описание: Nicolo Paganini of the Italian nationality was born in year 1782 – 1840. His composition are more towards the Romantic period. He started his career as a freelance performer then later in his life actively engaged in performing at concerts. His composition is relatively small compared to other composers of his time. His most famous composition is the 24 Caprices which portrays his virtuosity in violin playing.

Paganini’s Cantabile is written in the key of D major and is originally written for the violin and piano. However the Piano Accompaniment symbolizes of those played by Guitar. The usage of running scales, chromatic on one string, arpeggios, the use of trills, turns, harmonics and the different articulations in the right hand such as playing in Legato, Staccato Detache and in accented manner can be found throughout the entire piece.

Cantabile is picture a clear structure of the music in Romantic Era. It has intense elements of personal expression in the form of rubato. The wide range of pitches especially those passages played in the G string progressively running to the higher registers on the E string, making the piece very lyrical and rich in tone colors.

The piece started with a beautiful and melodious legato phrase introducing its main theme. The title suggests the piece to be played in a singing style. The main theme are recaptured throughout the piece marking the beginning of each section. The melody modulates to A major introducing the second theme of the piece of which considered at the peak of the piece with elaborated usage of turns, trills, acciaccaturas and harmonics decorating the melody lines. The second theme ends with 4 groups of sixlets unknowingly modulates back to D major.

The main theme is again reprised in the 3rd section at an octave lower, which the composer suggest it to be played mainly on the G string. Cadenza is then introduced with a series of running scale commencing from A on the G string to G on the E string in the fifth position. Again another series of virtuosic Cadenza in the form of chromatic scale to be played on the G string alone and eventually ends with gentle pizzicato.