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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 MUSIC 
 
 uiRARr
 
 CELEBRATED MUSICIANS 
 
 lii 
 
 NICOLO PAGANINI i 
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 BY 
 
 J. G. PROD'HOMME 
 
 Translated from the original 
 French Edition 
 
 by 
 
 ALICE MATTU 
 
 J>-^R1CE $1.00
 
 Music 
 Library 
 
 vn u 
 
 Copyright iqh by Cari- Fischer, New York. 
 International Copyright secured.
 
 VI. 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 Paganini's youth and early travels in Italy 
 
 (1784-1828) 5 
 
 The Man and the Artist |7 
 
 Travels abroad. (1) Austria, Poland, Germany 
 
 (1828-1830) 30 
 
 Travels abroad. (II) Paris, London, etc. (1831- 
 
 1834) 43 
 
 Return to Italy ; last stay in France ; death of 
 Paganini ( 1 834- 1 840) ; his posthumous ad- 
 ventures (1840-1896) 56 
 
 Paganini as a composer 71 
 
 His works 76 
 
 Books of reference 78 
 
 TABLE OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Nicolo Paganini (Engraved by Calmatta, from a 
 
 drawing by Ingres, 1818) 7 
 
 House at Genoa where Paganini w^ais born .... 13 
 
 Nicolo Paganini (Portrait by Isola in the Municipal 
 
 Gallery at Genoa) 21 
 
 Paganini encored at the close of a concert (A Paganini 
 
 recital in 1804, from the painting by Gatti) 27 
 
 Caricature of Paganini (Lithograph by Mantoux) 31 
 
 Caricature of Paganini (Lithograph by Granville, 
 
 from the terra cotta figure by Dantan) 31 
 
 Cast of Paganini's hand (Instrumental collection of 
 
 the Conservatoire) 4! 
 
 Paganini in prison (Lithograph by Louis Boulanger, 
 
 1832) 45 
 
 Paganini's violin (Municipal Museum at Genoa) . . 51 
 
 Paganini Casino at Paris, Chausee d'Antin (1837) 
 
 (Lithograph by G. Laviron) 55 
 
 Letter from Paganini to Berlioz (Furnished by Mon- 
 sieur Charles Malherbe) 60 
 
 Musical Autograph by Paganini (Extract from Le 
 Streghe) (violin part) (Furnished by 
 Monsieur Charles Malherbe) 65 
 
 Paganini Playing on his Stradivarius (From a water 
 color by Peterlct called "The Violin of 
 Cremona" (A. Morel d'Arleux collection) 69 
 
 .'57'95B<S
 
 I. 
 
 I HERE are certain names in history which attain universal 
 popularity and have the rare distinction of symbolizing a 
 particular art or an entire epoch. Even the ignorant 
 know them and use them to express a definite train of 
 thought. What name more popular than Raphael's? Does it not 
 typify perfection in the art of painting? Mozart's name in music 
 has an equal standing. As to the name of Paganini — more even 
 than that of Liszt, whose fame as a virtuoso for so long over- 
 shadowed that of the composer, — it has become almost mythical. 
 "To play like Paganini," like this Paganini whose memory lives for- 
 ever, is to the masses the highest praise which can be bestowed upon 
 an executant musician. 
 
 It is difificult to determine just when this widespread fame 
 originated, especially in the absence of authentic documents ; how- 
 ever, it can be positively stated that up to 1828 Paganini's glory 
 was entirely of Italian making, his first foreign appearance, at 
 Vienna, being the flash which lit the fire of enthusiasm in all Europe. 
 Furthermore, it is difiicult to retrace in detail the first thirty years 
 of the artist's eventful life, which, even before he left his native 
 country, had been embellished by anecdotes of more or less 
 authenticity. 
 
 SIC SfC !fC SfC 3fS ^ 
 
 Born at Genoa, February i8th, 1784, Nicolo Paganini was the 
 .son of Antonio Paganini and Teresa Bocciardi, "both amateur mu- 
 sicians," as he states in a brief autobiography ; "when I was five and 
 a half years of age, I was taught to ])lay the mandolin by my 
 father, a broker. ( ^ ) 
 
 "About this time the Saviour appeared to my mother in a dream 
 and told her that a prayer should be fulfilled to her; she requested 
 that her son should become a great violinist and this was granted 
 her. W lull I attained my seventh year, my father, whose ear was 
 unmusical, but who was nevertheless passionately fond of music, 
 gave me my elementary lessons on the violin ; in a very few months 
 I was able to play all manner of coinpositions at sight." 
 
 (1) F^tia says he wa.«« a Innp.Hlioreman, hut thl.s is exagg-crated (Revue 
 Mu.sicale, Feb. iri, 18.30, p. 33). Arrording Ut Ksc-udler he was a small shipping 
 agent.
 
 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 Nicole's first teachers were Giovanni Servetto, a man of little 
 merit, says Fetis, with whom he did not remain long, and afterward 
 Giacomo Costa, Musical Director and first violin of some of the 
 prominent churches at Genoa, from whom he took thirty lessons in 
 six months. At the early age of eight Paganini composed a violin 
 sonata, and at eight and a-half years of age he played a concerto 
 by Pleyel in a church. From that time on until he was eleven years 
 old, he had regular engagements to perform works of this kind at 
 religious ceremonies. Paganini looked upon this as of much 
 moment, since the church services forced him to constant practice 
 on his instrument. He also mentions with grateful recognition one 
 of his countrymen, Francesco Gnecco — according to Conestabile, a 
 writer of popular drama, who strongly influenced his musical 
 development. 
 
 When young Nicolo was about eleven and a-half years old — or 
 perhaps two years earlier — he gave his first concert at the San 
 Agostino Theatre, assisted by the singer, Teresa Bertinotti, and the 
 male soprano, Marchesi. As for him, he played to his townspeople 
 among other things, variations on the Carmagnole, which was very 
 popular in Genoa at that time, and his success was enormous. The 
 Marquis Di Negro (at whose house Kreutzer heard him about 1795.) 
 became much interested in the youthful virtuoso, and it was prob- 
 ably at his instigation that Antonio Paganini began "a search for 
 good masters." In 1796 he took his son to Parma, bearing letters 
 of recommendation to Court officials, to Rolla and the famous Paer. 
 At Florence he was presented to Salvator Tinti, who was astonished 
 on hearing him play the variations on the Carmagnole. At Parma, 
 he tells us "I found in Rolla's room a new concerto composed by 
 him, which I played at sight; Rolla was much astonished and in- 
 stead of giving me instruction on the violin, advised me to study 
 counterpoint under Maestro Ghiretti, a Neapolitan court-musician 
 and noted composer, who had also been Paer's teacher." Thus 
 states Paganini, but it appears, according to Gervasoni, that the 
 young artist actually took lessons from Alessandro Rolla during 
 several months. 
 
 As to Paer, who in 1792 to 1797 spent a part of each year at 
 Parma, he gave him "three lessons a week during six months." 
 Paganini, under his direction, composed twenty-four figures for four 
 hands, and his teacher was highly pleased with a duet which he had 
 ^iven him to set to music. "Ghiretti," says Paganini. "who had
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 taken a fancy to me, overwhelmed me with favors and lessons in 
 composition, and under his guidance I composed a great deal of 
 instrumental music. About this time I played two violin con- 
 certos at a concert in the leading theatre, after having played at the 
 country seat of the sovereigns, at Colorno, and at Sala, on which 
 occasion I was most generously compensated. The owner of a 
 Guarnerius violin said to me: 'If you can read this violin concerto 
 at sight, I will give you this instrument,' and I won it." After this 
 first tour, during which young Paganini gave twelve concerts, at 
 Parma, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Pisa and Leghorn, he returned 
 to Genoa, — probably during the winter of 1797-1798; there he com- 
 posed his first etudes, certain technical difficulties of which he is said 
 to have practiced for up to ten hours a day. When he had mastered 
 them, he wrote other concertos and some variations, according to 
 his account. His father presumably forced him to rigorous applica- 
 tion to his studies, locking him up for entire days and guarding him 
 closely. Thus he spent the time during the memorable siege of 
 Genoa. However, this severity awakened the desire in the youth 
 to escape the parental surveillance. With his extraordinary mas- 
 tery of his instrument and having studied the works of all the great 
 masters, Corelli, Vivaldi, Tartini, Pugnani and Viotti, he did not 
 lack resources for making his living. "At twenty-seven years of 
 age," continues the autobiography, "he made a tour of northern 
 Italy; and it was at this time that he left his home and came to the 
 town of Lucca. Here he met with great success at a festival which 
 took place in Nov., 1800, on St. Martin's day. Later he won much 
 favor in several Tuscan towns — especially at Pisa, and remained 
 some time at Leghorn "to write some compositions for bassoon, for 
 the use of a .Swedish amateur who complained that he could find 
 nothing sufficiently difficult." The Scandinavian amateur expressed 
 himself more than delighted with the young maestro's work. 
 
 The latter, intoxicated by the triumphs with which he met 
 everywhere upon his way, led anything but an exemplary life. No 
 longer uuflcr the paternal eye, his leisure hours were sjjcnt with 
 gambling and women, and one fine day, having lost everything he 
 possessed at the gaming table, including his instrument, an amateur 
 — whr)se name he has recorded — a Monsieur Livron, — loaned him 
 a magnificent Guarnerius for his next api)carancc in |)iib!ic. After 
 the concert the enthusiastic amateur gave the violin to Paganini as 
 a gift. This instrument was left by Paganini to his native city, and
 
 8 
 
 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 the Guarnerius is to this day kept at the Municipal Palace, at 
 Genoa. (^) 
 
 After this period — the exact duration of which is not known, 
 but which was doubtless quite lengthy, Paganini informs us that 
 "four years before the coronation of Napoleon, at Milan" — there- 
 fore in 1801, he went to Lucca for the festival of St. Croix (Sep- 
 tember 14th). "Everybody stared at me and made fun of my long 
 bow and heavy strings (he used 'cello strings on his violin) but after 
 the rehearsal, I was so wildly applauded that the other candidates 
 did not venture to be heard. At a grand evening service in a 
 church, my concerto created such a furor that the worshippers 
 rushed out to keep the crowd outside the church quiet." 
 
 At this point all the biographies of the artist show a lapse of 
 three or four years which it is impossible to reconcile. Where was 
 he between the months of September and October, 1801, and the 
 year 1805, — the date of another sojourn at Genoa? The autobiog- 
 raphy briefly states that its author "devoted himself to agriculture 
 and took to playing the guitar." We can merely add that from time 
 to time he lived at the chateau of a great lady who played this 
 instrument. Several compositions, his Opus 2 and 3, comprising 
 six sonatas for violin and guitar, date from this period. Returning 
 to Genoa, he once more took up his violin studies with much zeal, 
 especially Locatelli's "Arte di nuova modulazione" and composed 
 six quartets for violin, viola, guitar and 'cello. Opus 4 and 5, — as 
 well as some brilliant variations — all with guitar accompaniment. 
 
 Following his trip to Lucca in i8oi(^) came his appointment in 
 1805 at the court of Lucca, where Felix Bacciochi and Eliza Bona- 
 parte ruled since May, and Paganini continues : "The Republic of 
 Lucca made me first court violinist and I remained there three 
 years, giving instruction to Bacciochi. My duties required me to 
 play in two concerts each week, and I always improvised, with piano 
 accompaniment. I wrote these accompaniments in advance and 
 worked out my theme in the course of the improvisation. One day 
 at noon, the court requested a concerto for violin and English-horn 
 that evening ; the Musical Director refused on the ground that there 
 
 (1) To quote the autobiography — "In my concert announcements, I always 
 volunteered to execute any piece of music which might be presented to me. 
 One day at Leghorn, wishing to pass time and having no violin, I was loaned 
 one by a M. Livron, to play one of Viotti's concertos; and afterward he made 
 me a present of the instrument. " 
 
 (2) Niggli gives the time as 1805 and this seems more probable.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 was not sufficient time, whereupon I was asked to write it. In two 
 hours I had composed an orchestral accompaniment, and that even- 
 ing I performed it with Professor CalH, making a great hit. 
 
 "Looking for variety in the programs I executed at court, one 
 evening — after having removed two strings from my violin (the 
 2d and 3d), I improvised a sonata entitled 'Scena amorosa,' the 4th 
 string representing the man (Adonis) and the treble string the 
 woman (Venus). This was the beginning of my habit of playing 
 on one string, as this sonata was much admired, and I was asked if 
 I could play on a single string. I replied : 'Certainly,' and forthwith 
 wrote a sonata with variations, which was performed in a grand 
 concert on Saint Napoleon's day (Aug. I5thj. Subsequently I 
 wrote several sonatas in the same style. (i) 
 
 "The Princess Eliza, who sometimes had fainting spells when 
 listening to me, often retired so as not to deprive the others of the 
 pleasure of hearing me play. I also conducted an entire opera at 
 Lucca, with a violin mounted with two strings, and this won a wager 
 involving a luncheon for twenty-five people. Though still attached 
 to the court, I travelled in Tuscany ; during a concert given at Leg- 
 horn, a nail pierced my heel so that I came on the stage limping 
 Slaughter in the audience) ; the moment I began to play the lights 
 on my music-stand fell down (more laughter) ; at the very be- 
 ginning of the concerto the treble string snapped, and amid the 
 laughter of the audience I went on playing my concerto on three 
 strings, and my success was enormous." Conestabile puts this in- 
 cident down as happening in 1806 at tlie time of the second concert 
 given in that town, where Paganini had gone with letters of intro- 
 duction to the British Consul.^-' 
 
 When Princess Eliza became Grand Duchess of Tuscany, in 
 1809, Paganini followed her to Florence, where he became an 
 object of fanatical admiration. "His talent," says l-'etis, "showed 
 new develnpment every clay"; however, he had not yet learned to 
 control it perfectly. In 1810 he performed for the first time at a 
 court concert his variations for the 4th string, having extended its 
 range to three octaves, bv means of barmonics. Tlii^ novelty met 
 
 (1) PnKiinini rtporl.s thf.'if incident.s in a letter pulili.slud by tho Mu.sical 
 Gazette of Milan, Oct. 18th, ]X4fi. The .scene of Venus and AdonLs i.s dedicated 
 to a lady of the court, of whom he waH enamored. 
 
 (2) Shortly afterward he appeared at Turin, before Pauline Borghese.
 
 10 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 with enormous success, especially when he played it publicly at a 
 concert which he gave at Parma on August i6th, 1811." 
 
 During this period Paganini visited Lombardy and Romagna. He 
 appeared at Cesena, at Rimini (Jan. 22, 1810), at Ravenna, Forli, 
 Imola, Faenza, etc. It is almost impossible to follow his migrations, 
 and a number of the earlier biographers hold that from 1808 to 
 181 3 there is another noticeable lapse of five years in his life. The 
 entire ignorance which for a long time existed as to his achieve- 
 ments and exploits, caused a thousand absurdities to be related about 
 him, which later on he had much difficulty to refute. He was 
 accused of being associated with the Carbonari, of having assassi- 
 nated one of his mistresses, and that it was during a three or four 
 years' term of imprisonment that he acquired his stupendous dexter- 
 ity in playing on one string, the jailer of the prison, fearing that he 
 would hang himself, having permitted him to play on his violin on 
 condition that he use but a single string. The facts are that Paga- 
 nini was accredited with an adventure of the Polish violinist Dura- 
 nowski, or Durand, who as Aide-de-Camp to a French general, was 
 imprisoned some time at Milan up to about 1814. Paganini, more- 
 over, had often heard and admired the Polish violinist. 
 
 It is safer to ascribe our lack of knowledge as to Paganini's 
 precise doings during these four or five years to his ill health, due 
 to youthful excesses which brought on a nervous trouble, necessitat- 
 ing an enforced rest of several months. However, he was still at- 
 tached to the Court at Florence, and his severing of this connection 
 was the result of a rather amusing incident. At Lucca, the Princess 
 Bonaparte had appointed him Captain of Gendarmes, a rank which 
 he still held in the Tuscan capital, and which gave him the right to 
 wear a uniform. Accordingly, he appeared one evening at a court- 
 concert in all his military splendor. The Princess immediately 
 ordered him to resume his black evening clothes ; Paganini refused, 
 saying that the title of Captain which had been conferred upon him 
 authorized him to wear a uniform — without restriction or stipula- 
 tion. After this conversation the bold Captain of Gendarmes 
 actually dared to promenade in the ball-room where the court had 
 assembled after the concert. However, he thought it wise to leave 
 Florence, taking his departure that very night, and in spite of all 
 the efforts made by the Princess to recall him, Paganini never again 
 consented to appear at the court of Eliza Bonaparte.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY n 
 
 A theme from a ballet which was being performed at that time 
 (1813) at Milan, "Le Noyer de Benevent," by Vigano, gave him the 
 suggestion for his variations "le Streghe," with which he toured all 
 Italy before the remainder of Europe was permitted to applaud 
 them. In this one city, where up to 1828 he had given thirty-seven 
 concerts, he made his debut at the La Scala Theatre, Oct. 29th, 
 and gave some ten concerts in six weeks. From that time on he 
 was considered the foremost violinist of Europe, more than a 
 hundred concerts in all parts of Italy confirming this reputation. 
 "Every five years I changed my style of playing," says he ; "at 
 Bologna (in 1814), I improvised with Rossini at the piano in the 
 house of the Pegnalver family. At Rome I was not permitted to 
 give concerts on Friday during the Carnival, but the Vicar, who 
 later became Pope Leo XII (1829-1830) authorized a single concert, 
 as a special concession. In view of the enthusiasm which I created, 
 he sent me of his own accord, a most flattering edict which author- 
 ized me to give a concert every Friday. I was also heard at a 
 concert given at the palace of Prince Kaunitz, the Austrian Am- 
 bassador. Prince Metternich, who was then at Rome, could not 
 attend this concert owing to an indisposition, but came to the palace 
 the next morning. To oblige him I took the first violin that came 
 to hand and played something for him, which pleased him so much 
 that he came again that same evening. The wife of the ambassador 
 said to me: 'You are the whole attraction,' and it was on this 
 occasion that Prince Metternich invited me to come to Vienna. I 
 promised to visit that city first after leaving Italy. This tour 
 through Austria was postponed on account of an illness which 1 
 contracted and which was unknown to all the medical profession." 
 
 March 24th. 18 14, he was again heard at Milan, at the Re 
 Theatre with his pupil, Catarina Carcagno; he was still there in 
 May and in September ; later he was at Bologna, at the Communal 
 Theatre, and rluring this period he met Rossini. Tn 1815 he toured 
 Romagna and was detained for several months at Ancona by a 
 nervous disease. In March, 1816, he had the encounter with the 
 famous Lafont, of whom he had heard at Genoa. Paganini, eager 
 to meet him, came to Milan, and after a i)ublic "tournament," — both 
 virtuosi playing the Rode concerto, a uni.sono duet by Kreutzer, and 
 some soli — (Paganini played le Streghe as his final inmiber) — 
 Lafont was declared his ec|ual for singing tone, but I'aganini was 
 incomparably superir)r in tcchni'|Uf. brilliancy of tone and style.
 
 12 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 In August, at Parma, he played for the first time a series of 
 variations on the 4th string; later he appeared at Ferrara, with 
 Gandi-Giani of Bologna and Marcolini. While there he came within 
 an inch of being lynched by the crowd on account of a witticism at 
 the expense of the citizens of that place. 
 
 In October. Spohr, who was traveling in Italy, met him at 
 Venice. 
 
 "Yesterday," he writes under date of October 17th, "Paganini 
 returned from Trieste, and it seems that he suddenly gave up his 
 plan of going to Vienna. This morning he came to see me, and 
 I finally met this wonderful man of whom I had been told 
 every day since my arrival in Italy. No performing musician 
 has ever enthused the Italians to this extent; and although 
 they do not care much for instrumental recitals, he has given more 
 than a dozen at Milan and five here. It is difficult to determine 
 exactly wherein lies the charm which holds his audiences ; there are 
 stories afloat about him which in no-wise concern the musician ; he 
 is lauded to the skies, he is called a wizard who draws from his 
 violin mystic sounds never before heard by human ear. The critics, 
 on the other hand, although admitting that he shows a marvelous 
 dexterity of the left hand in double stopping and passages of all 
 kinds, consider those qualities which fascinate the general public as 
 inartistic, lowering him to the level of a juggler, and not atoning for 
 his faults, viz. : a loud tone, faulty bowing, and phrasing which was 
 not always in the best of taste."(i) 
 
 After spending a year at Venice, Paganini returned to Milan 
 and Genoa; shortly afterward, he again met Rossini at Rome, who 
 was bringing out La Cenerentola. It was then that he met Prince 
 Metternich and not in 1814, as the autobiography states. Later he 
 visited Tuscany, touching at Piacenza, Turin, Florence and Verona. 
 In the latter city an amusing episode occurred : Paganini was to play 
 some variations by Valdobrani, the conductor of the orchestra at 
 Verona, and at the rehearsal he took such liberties with the com- 
 position that Valdobrani scarcely recognized his work. "You need 
 have no uneasiness," he was reassured by the artist, "to-morrow you 
 will recognize them as your own." The last number of the concert 
 program being the variations by Valdobrini, Paganini actually ap- 
 peared with his violin in one hand and a light bamboo cane in the 
 
 <lj Spohr— Selbst Biographie 1. p. 304.
 
 HOUSIC AT GENOA, WllKKK HAGANIM WAS B(JKN
 
 A BIOGRAPHY ^3 
 
 Other, which he wielded as a bow, to the great edification and delight 
 of the amused audience. 
 
 At Florence he took up with Lipinski, his Polish rival, the 
 struggle for supremacy in which he had engaged with Lafont (17th 
 to 23d of April). In December, 1818, and January, 1819, he ap- 
 peared at the Carignano in Turin, and in February at Florence. He 
 spent the summer in Naples, giving concerts at the Del Fondo Thea- 
 tre. While there his condition was again critical, as regards his 
 health. The proprietor of the rooms which he occupied in the Petraio 
 quarter, fearing the plague, had him brought out into the street in 
 his bed ! There he was discovered by his pupil, the 'cellist Ciandelli, 
 who found more comfortable and sanitary quarters for him, nor did 
 he neglect administering to the barbarous Neapolitan the punishment 
 he well deserved. Having recovered rapidly, Paganini gave a new 
 series of concerts. In March, 1820, he was again at Milan, which 
 had grown as dear to him as his own native city. While there he 
 directed the Gli Orfei concerts, which l)rought him a medal. At 
 Rome, in December, he conducted the premiere of Rossini's "Ma- 
 tilda di Shabra," the leader of the orchestra, Bello, having died sud- 
 denly at one of the last rehearsals. After having appeared in sev- 
 eral concerts at the Argentina (in the spring of 1821) and having 
 shown his mastery of the guitar at various soirees, before a circle 
 of admiring friends, he left once more for Naples, where he played 
 at the Del Fondo and Nuovo Theatres. "At last," writes Candler 
 to the Morgenblatt, "1 heard and admired at the Del Fondo Theatre, 
 Italy's greatest violinist, Ercole^^^ Paganini. The Hercules among 
 Italian violinists has given two concerts here, the first on July 20th, 
 and the second on .September ist; he also gave a third about the 
 middle of this month at the Nuovo Theatre. — Paganini is certainly 
 an artist with a style all his own. who follows no jiarticular method 
 but is guided by rules of his own making, even though tliey might 
 not all have been approved by Apollo." 
 
 After spending the winter of 1821-1822 at Palermo, "where," 
 says Niggli, "he found hut few admirers," Paganini returned to 
 Rome about the time of the Carnival, which he spent gayly with 
 Rossini. Massimino d'Azcglio and Liparini. Later, by way of 
 Venice and I^iacenza, he returned to Milan (March-April, 1822). 
 
 (1) The author of Ihl.M .iiticle fiToncoualy gave the celebrated artist the 
 surname of Ercole, which happened to be that of another Italian violinist of 
 the same name.
 
 14 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 It was then that he laid plans to tour Germany, which, however, 
 were not reaHzed until six years later. In January, 1823, just at a 
 time when he was preparing to give another series of concerts 
 throughout the peninsula, he was detained at Parma through illness. 
 Eventually he gave several concerts at Turin and then went to 
 Genoa to recuperate. In May, 1824, he appeared at San Agostino 
 before his compatriots, who received him with enthusiastic demon- 
 strations. He took leave for some time to reap more laurels at the 
 La Scala Theatre on June 12th, and then returned to Genoa to give 
 two concerts (June 30th and July 7th). In the fall he again went 
 to Venice by way of Milan, and there he met Signora Antonia 
 Bianchi, a native of Como, who for several years accompanied him 
 everywhere; a son, Achillino, was born to them at Palermo July 
 23d, 1825. A sojourn in Sicily had now become actually imperative 
 to fortify his ever delicate constitution; he remained there in 1825 
 and 1826, appearing in Rome, however (three concerts in 1825), 
 and in Naples (April 15th — concert at Del Fondo Theatre, with La 
 Tosi, Novelli, Fioravanti and Lablache). At Palermo he was 
 coldly received. 
 
 Subsequently he went to northern Italy, passing through Trieste, 
 Venice (in the summer of 1826), Rome (spring of 1827), Florence, 
 Perugia, and Bologna, where he was forced to remain eight months, 
 suffering with a trouble with one of his legs; finally, after a fare- 
 well trip to Genoa, he returned to Milan toward the close of 1827 
 before undertaking his trip through central Europe.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 15 
 
 II. 
 
 N the course of his career the echoes of his fame resounded 
 throughout Germany, France and England, and myths 
 were woven about the artist, showing him as the weird, 
 phantastic creature which posterity insists on seeing in 
 him. This "magician of the South," this "sorcerer," as the Ger- 
 mans call him, this "king of the violin," as he was christened by all 
 Europe, was then about forty years of age. Doubtless his features 
 were not cast in that sad, misanthropic, almost wretched expression 
 which the portraits of Paganini, engraved toward 1830, show. 
 However, the bizarre appearance which so many writers have de- 
 scribed and whose characteristics have been preserved for us in so 
 many drawings and caricatures, had already formed. 
 
 "Five feet five inches in height, built on long sinuous lines, a 
 long, pale face, with strong lineaments, a protruding nose, an eagle 
 eye, and curly hair flowing to his shoulders, hiding an extremely 
 thin neck; two lines, one might say were graven on his cheeks by 
 his profession, for they resembled the // of a violin or double-bass. 
 Bright with the fire of genius, his pupils roll in the orbits of his eyes 
 and turn toward those of his accompanists of whom he does not feel 
 quite sure. His wrist is so loose and supple that I would compare 
 the play of his hands to the movement of a handkerchief tied to the 
 end of a stick, and floating in the breeze." Such is the description 
 of Paganini by Castil-Blaze, in 1831. 
 
 "He is as thin as anyone can possibly be," writes his biographer 
 Schottky, before Castil-Blaze ; "with this a sallow complexion, a 
 pointed aquiline nose, and long bony fingers. He seems barely able 
 to support the weight of his clothes, and when he bows, his body is 
 so strangely contorted that one fears any moment the feet will part 
 company with the re.st of him, and the whole frame fall suddenly 
 to the ground, a heap of bones. When he plays, his right foot is 
 advanced and in brilliant passages marks the time with ludicrous 
 rapidity, the face, however, not losing its stony impassiveness except 
 for the shadow of a smile when thunders of applause greeted him ; 
 then his lips moved and his eyes, full of expression, but without 
 kindliness, flashed in all directions. In repose, his body forms a 
 sort of triangle, bending in an absolutely uni([ue manner, while the 
 head and the right foot are held forward."
 
 16 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 A "Physiological notice" juiblished at this period by Dr. Ben- 
 nati/i) enables us better than any more "learned" essay, to solve the 
 "mystery" of this almost phenomenal organism ; these pathological 
 and scientific observations show this man in a more human guise, 
 about whom the wildest stories were told, circulated by his enemies 
 and envious rivals. 
 
 "I will not analyze the features of his face," says Dr. Bennati, 
 "nor speak of the bump of melody, which is strongly developed at 
 the outer angle of his forehead ; I will merely show him in his en- 
 tirety as an organism made expressly, one might say, for attaining 
 the highest perfection as an executant musician, which he has 
 reached, and based on this I hope to demonstrate the truth of an 
 opinion which I have given, namely, that the superiority of the cele- 
 brated violinist is less a result of continued practice, as has been 
 averred, but rather of special physical fitness. Doubtless many 
 stages of development were required to create this new and wonder- 
 ful mechanism by which he has been able to put himself beyond 
 comparison ; unquestionably his genius pre-existed. Paganini, to be 
 what he is, had to unite perfect musical intelligence with organs of 
 the most delicate sensitiveness to exercise it. His head alone should 
 have made Paganini a distinguished composer, a musician of the 
 highest standing ; but without his delicate sense of rhythm, the build 
 of his body, his shoulders, arms and hands, he could never have 
 been the incomparable virtuoso whom we all admire. 
 
 "Paganini is pale, thin and of middle stature. Although he is 
 only forty-seven, his thin frame and the loss of his teeth make his 
 lips look drawn, while his chin protrudes, giving him a far more 
 aged look. The large head on a long, scrawny neck, together with 
 his lanky limbs, at first gives a strong impression of disproportion. 
 A high forehead, broad and massive, an aquiline and very character- 
 istic nose, beautifully arched eyebrows, a mobile, malicious mouth, 
 slightly resembling Voltaire's, large protruding ears, standing well 
 off from the head, long black hair falling carelessly to his shoulders 
 and contrasting with his pale skin, gave Paganini's appearance an 
 extraordinary cast, and to a certain degree testified to his undeniable 
 genius. 
 
 "It has been erroneously stated that an expression of physical 
 pain gave to Paganini's features a stamp of wild melancholy, attrib- 
 
 (1) Revue de Paris, May, 1831, pages 52-60. I owe this interesting article 
 to Mr. Adolph Boschot.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY ij 
 
 uted to weariness of living. I can say that in my intercourse with 
 Paganini 1 never obtained anything like this impression in regard 
 to his character. I always saw him gay, brilliant, even full of fun 
 when among friends, while with his charming little Achille he was 
 as playful as a child, and I am in a better position than anyone else 
 to form an opinion of Paganini. For more than ten years I was on 
 an intimate footing with him, and had countless opportunities to 
 observe him, first in Italy, and particularly at Vienna, where I had 
 occasion to render him my professional services during several 
 months, and thus no physiological condition during his life is un- 
 known to me. I am inclined to believe that no one but a friend 
 could have obtained the details as to his health or his former illness, 
 necessary to judge of his physiological condition; as he would have 
 given no opportunity to others to examine the various organs and 
 the build of his body and limbs, and they would have had no clue to 
 the phenomenon presented by the wonderful physical mechanism 
 underlying his art. However, before going further into this 
 mechanism, which I believe to be a great part of the secret which 
 Paganini is supposed to possess, I will touch on more important 
 questions." 
 
 Paganini was no consumptive, as was at first feared. Bennati, 
 with Dr. JNIiquel, at Paris, convinced himself of this point; 
 "he is thin," says the doctor, "not on account of tuberculosis, 
 but because it is his nature to be so. The left shoulder is 
 higher than the other, which when he stands erect, with his 
 arms hanging, makes the right one seem much longer. l*ar- 
 ticularly noticeable is the extensibility of the capsular ligaments 
 at the shoulders, and the slackness of the ligament uniting the hand 
 and fore-arm, also the carpals and meta-carpals and the phalanges 
 with each other. Tlie Jiand.is iio-4arger. than normal, htit he can 
 double its reach by the flexibility of all his joints. Thus, for in- 
 stance, he gives to the first phalanges of the fingers of his left hand, 
 on the strings, a remarkable flexion which, while his han<l remains 
 motionless, moves them laterally to their natural fiexion, and this 
 with ease, precision and rapidity." I'aganini's art is simply a result 
 of practice and of his physical fitness. "I lis cerebellum is enormous. 
 His sense of hearing is wonderfully developed : he hears what is 
 said, even in a whisper, at a great distance, anfl the sensitiveness of 
 his tympanum is such that it positively pains him to have anyone
 
 jg ■ NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 close beside him speak in a loud tone of voice. He is then obliged 
 to turn and face the interlocutor. This sensation is far more pro- 
 nounced on the left ear, which is the one corresponding to the posi- 
 tion of the violin. His ears are admirably adapted for receiving 
 sound waves, the cavity being wide and deep; the shell is strongly 
 marked, and all its lines are deeply graven. It is impossible to find 
 a better, more perfectly proportioned ear in all its parts, and one 
 more strongly defined." 
 
 "The delicacy of Paganini's hearing surpasses anything imagin- 
 able," continues Bennati. "While the largest orchestra is playing 
 with the full strength of its wind instruments he needs but a slight 
 touch with one finger to tune his violin ; he instantly detects under 
 all circumstances an instrument which is out of tune, even the less 
 noticeable ones, and this at an incredible distance. On several 
 occasions, he has shown the absolute perfection of his musical 
 hearing by playing 'true' on a violin which was not in tune. 
 
 "Paganini is permeated with music ; at the age of five the chimes, 
 which are quite frequent in Italy, sometimes made him radiantly 
 happy, and sometimes strangely melancholy. At church he could 
 not listen to the organ without being moved to tears. No matter 
 how weak and ill he may be, the first sound of the bow is like an 
 electric spark which gives him new life, all his nerves vibrate like 
 the strings of his violin, and his brain has no other faculty than to 
 express the transports of his musical soul. His instrument and he 
 are one. For two hours he lives through his violin; his soul is 
 carried far beyond us ; calls to us from there, commands us as a 
 sovereign, and it is then that Paganini's body obeys the irresistible 
 power ; nature is forced to respond to the demands made, and bring 
 forth the ravishing harmonies which fill his soul." 
 
 This is Paganini from a physiological point of view. Others 
 intimately associated with him, for instance his secretary, George 
 Harrys, have aided in studying him psychologically. Morally 
 Paganini's actions were often quite dififerent from the interpreta- 
 tions given them by his contemporaries, who were deceived by 
 appearances. He was often accused of avarice; his stinginess be- 
 came proverbial, and his fortune, at one time, was estimated at 7 
 millions. ^i> In reality it exceeded this sum, although, without cor- 
 roborative documents, it is difficult to estimate the fortune to which, 
 
 (1) J. Janin, article in the Journal des Debats on the death (falsely re- 
 ported) of Paganini (Feb. 14th, 18.35).
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 19 
 
 in 1840, Achille Paganini fell heir. However, the stories of his 
 wealth were not unfounded. Paganini always demanded a very 
 high price from the public who crowded to hear him. In Austria 
 and in Germany the cheapest seat was 2 thaler (7 fr. 50). Every- 
 where he doubled and tripled the price of seats ; in London alone he 
 had to be satisfied with the usual prices, which, however, were far 
 better than the prices in vogue on the continent. "It must not be 
 forgotten that Paganini was an Italian," says Dr. Kohut, "and that 
 most Italians, with few exceptions, if not avaricious, are at least 
 very economical. Why should Paganini be otherwise? He lived 
 in the best hotels of the towns where he gave his concerts, took the 
 choicest rooms, drank wine, gave generous tips and spent much on 
 charity. "(^^ His illness, or rather his infirmity, forbade his eating 
 much, and he seemed to live sparingly. "II poco mangiar e il poco 
 ber hanno mai fatto male (little eating and drinking have never 
 done harm)," said he. 
 
 Although he charged big prices for his concerts, he readily gave 
 free tickets to young musicians and poor amateurs who wished to 
 hear him, and many artists borrowed considerable sums from him 
 which he never reclaimed. 
 
 We know how Paganini stood with his family ; after the death 
 of his father in 1817 or 1818 (about 1825 according to Niggli), he 
 supported his mother and one of his sisters, who lived at home with 
 her; he also loaned 5,000 francs to another sister (which went to 
 pay the gambling debts of her husband, and were never returned). 
 When he parted with Antonia Rianchi, at Vienna, he gave a concert 
 for her benefit, and left her 2,000 ecus (3,731 florins currency). 
 Me testated to her a revenue of 1,2(10 francs after his death. Of 
 course these are not enormous sums, but it would seem that Paga- 
 nini's much talked of penuriousncss was nothing but strict economy, 
 and a careful management of the fortune he accjuired, after having 
 dissipated so much in his youth. 
 
 On having separated from Antonia. after having livcfl togetlur 
 for four years, Paganini continuefl his travels with his little son ; 
 he never parted from him and rarely consented to have him out of 
 his sight even for a short time. 
 
 Contemporaries have spoken of little Achille-Cyrus-AUxander 
 Paganini as a very beautiful child, with black eyes, long brown hair. 
 
 (1) Ad. Kohut, Auk dfm Zauberlandc I'dlyhymnla'n. p. 215-23S, Ncuch Uber 
 Nicolo Paganini.
 
 2Q NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 and a charming, intelligent face; he inherited from his mother a 
 fine voice and at the age of two already gave evidence of an extra- 
 ordinarily true and sensitive ear. When seven years of age he 
 spoke Italian fluently and also French and German sufficiently well 
 to serve as interpreter to his father, who could not express himself 
 in other than the Italian and French languages. One day Paganini 
 was asked whether he would have his son study music: "And why 
 not?" said he, "if it gives him pleasure, I myself will teach him. I 
 love him dearly and am actually jealous of him. If I should lose 
 him I would be lost myself, because I simply cannot do without him. 
 Day and night he is my only thought." 
 
 On entering Paganini's room, one could always find Achillino 
 playing with a wealth of toys, lavished upon him by an indulgent 
 father. Sometimes the child amused himself with a violin, on 
 which he played very pretty little melodies. One could die laugh- 
 ing, says an eye witness, to see Paganini in slippers, playing with 
 his boy, who scarcely reached to his knee. Sometimes the child 
 brandished his terrible broadsword before his father, and Paga- 
 nini in mock fright drew back laughing. "Angelo mio, I am already 
 wounded," he groaned, but the youngster was not satisfied until the 
 giant staggered and fell to the floor. 
 
 When Achillino was four years old, he became capricious and 
 unmanageable ; above all he had a horror of washing his hands. 
 His father, far from losing patience, did not scold him, but begged 
 and pleaded, overwhelmed him with tenderness and kindness and in 
 this way obtained obedience and submission. He was never im- 
 patient or angry with him, but let him do as he pleased. When 
 some one called his attention to the "bad bringing up" of Achillino, 
 Paganini answered : "The poor child is lonesome ; I don't know 
 what to do ; I have exhausted every kind of game and toy. I have 
 carried him about, I have made him some chocolate ; I am at my 
 wits end !" He would leave the care of dressing him to no one else. 
 One morning, before going to a concert which began early, Paganini 
 had forgotten the time while at play with Achillino. When he 
 wanted to dress hurriedly, he could not find his things, which he 
 had laid out the night before; his coat, his tie, everything had 
 disappeared. The child was greatly amused to see his father vainly 
 searching in all the corners, and his expression finally gave Paga- 
 nini a clue: "Where are my things, angelo mio?" he asked in dulcet 
 tones. The little one feigned astonishment, shrugged his shoulders
 
 NICOI.O I'A<iANlNI 
 (Portrait by Isola, in the Municipal (iallery at Genoa.)
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 21 
 
 and intimated that he did not understand. After an elaborate 
 search the father finally found his boots, hidden behind some 
 cushions, then the coat tucked away in a trunk, the vest in a drawer. 
 Paganini waved each article, when found, triumphantly in the air, 
 took a pinch of snuflf and continued his investigations, followed by 
 Achillino, who was delighted at the proceedings. 
 
 While traveling through Europe with his young companion and 
 a secretary(i) Paganini insisted on having his car hermetically 
 closed, and even when the thermometer registered 20 degrees C, he 
 wrapped himself up in his furs, to which he clung as he did to his 
 child. In his rooms, on the contrary, he immediately opened all the 
 doors and windows, which he called taking an air-bath. The 
 violin cases which were not used to hold his Guarnerius were trans- 
 formed into kit-bags in which he packed his linen and valuables. 
 His accounts were kept in a red note book, receipts and disburse- 
 ments being noted therein in hieroglyphics which no one but him- 
 self could decipher. His rooms were always in the most chaotic 
 state, says his secretary, sheet music, clothes, boots, everything 
 topsy-turvy ; he had much trouble in getting the child dressed and 
 putting on his clothes for public appearance. 
 
 At rehearsals with orchestra he was extremely severe, going 
 back to the beginning of a solo or tutti a number of times for 
 the slightest error ; he looked daggers at the terrified musicians, 
 and if the orchestra had the misfortune to start in too soon, 
 before he had finished his cadenza, he broke into a Hood of 
 invective; whereas, if all went well, he expressed his satisfaction 
 emphatically: "Bravissimo!" he would cry in llic middle of a 
 concerto, "sietc tutti virtuosi"; on other occasions he was satisfied 
 after giving a few tempi, and turning to the orchestra, would say: 
 "Et catera, messieurs." 
 
 Any number of these anecdotes are told, but these will suffice to 
 show us the character of the man whose physif>logy Dr. iiennati 
 has described. Some of the stories show us Paganini as an ex- 
 tremely nervous, impressionable being, having good traits and fine 
 sentiments in spite of appearances to the cfmtrary. To study Paga- 
 nini we fortunately have a number of notes made by a careful 
 
 (1) One of these, Gforge Harry.s, attached to U»- ManoviTian KmlniHHy. but 
 of EnKllsh origin, says NIggll, served him In 1S30 uk manajfi-r and Interpreter 
 during the tour of northern Oermnny. Fmm hl» pamphlet. "PaKanlnln 
 Tra%'el.s," the biographers have taken the above anecdolcH.
 
 22 
 
 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 observer, Karl Guhr, himself a distinguished violinist, and musical 
 conductor and manager of the theatre at Frankfort, v^rho published 
 in 1829 the result of his observations and personal experiences. <^> 
 
 "I was fortunate enough," says Guhr, "during my stay at Paris, 
 several years ago, to hear the greatest masters of the French school : 
 Baillot, Lafont, Beriot, Boucher, and several others, and shall never 
 forget the profound impression which their wonderful art made 
 upon me; still, their playing did not differ much from that of other 
 great masters whom I had heard, and although each one's style 
 was more or less distinct, they were much alike in their manner of 
 bowing, production of sound and execution, and the differences 
 were not really perceptible. With Paganini it is different ; every- 
 thing about him is new — unique — he obtains sounds and effects 
 with his instrument which no one ever dreamed of, and which mere 
 words cannot describe. Rode, Kreutzer, Baillot, Spohr, these stars 
 among violinists, seemed to have exhausted the possibilities of this 
 instrument. They had extended the mechanism, evolved countless 
 ways of handling the bow to make it respond to the most delicate 
 shading; by the magic of this tone, which rivaled the human voice, 
 they succeeded in expressing all the passions — every feeling that 
 stirs the heart. Finally, following along the paths shown by Corelli, 
 Tartini and Viotti, they lifted the violin to the rank which gives it 
 power to sway the human soul. In their way they are and ever 
 will be great and unsurpassed. 
 
 "On hearing Paganini, however, and comparing him with other 
 masters, it must be admitted that he surpasses every standard here- 
 tofore established. His ways are all his own and distinguish him 
 from those other great artists. Whoever hears him for the first 
 time is astounded, carried away by all he hears that is new and 
 surprising; astonished by the demoniacal power with which he 
 wields the bow ; enchanted by the facility of a technique which is 
 adequate to every requirement, at the same time lifting the spirit 
 to unknown heights, and giving to the violin the breath of the 
 human voice divine, which stirs the soul to its very depths." 
 
 Guhr goes on to say that he often had occasion to hear Paga- 
 nini and chat with him, during eight months which he spent at 
 Frankfort, but avoiding any explanation, Paganini invariably said, 
 
 (1) L'Art de jouer du violon, by Paganini (Paris, 1830). Ai. arUcle hy 
 Guhr, on the same subject, appeared in la Caecilia (No. 14 or 4J, analyzed by 
 Fetis, Revue Musicale, December, 1829, p. 505-512).
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 23 
 
 when questioned in regard to his methods and the exercises which 
 he practiced : "Ogniin'a suoi segreti." These "secrets" the German 
 Kapellmeister resolved to discover. By watching the master's per- 
 formances attentively, he succeeded in finding a key to several of 
 these, which at first hearing seemed like so many puzzles even to 
 professionals. Guhr concludes : 
 
 "Paganini is distinguished from other artists: ist. By his manner 
 of tuning his instrument. 2nd. By his handling of his bow — which 
 is peculiar to him. 3rd. By the mingling and uniting of sounds 
 produced with the bow and the pizzicato of the left hand. 4th. By 
 his use of harmonics, double or single. 5th. By his playing on the 
 G string alone. ^^^ 6th. By his seemingly impossible feats. 
 
 "Paganini's style of playing re(|uires fine strings for the following 
 reasons: ist. Because he frequently plays the shrillest tones, which 
 other violinists very rarely use. 2nd. Because the harmonic sounds, 
 especially the artificial ones, carry better on the fine strings in the 
 high positions. 3rd. Because if the strings were heavier, the 
 strength of the second, third and fourth fingers would not be ade- 
 quate to master them in the pizzicato for the left hand. 4th. He 
 sometimes tunes the four strings half a tone higher, and someti:nes 
 the G string a minor third higher, and for this reason the whole 
 mounting must be fine, since heavy strings would not bear the strain 
 without growing harsh and shrill, which would detract from the 
 performance (it is therefore a fact that the fine strings are less 
 sonorous).'-) 
 
 (1) Paganlni mnuntcd tliis famous fourth .string beside the treble string, In 
 place of the A .strln;?, esin'oially for playing th<r \rirlations on "MoKes' Prayer"; 
 the celebrated violinist, Camllk- Sivori, a piiidl of I'aganini, followed the example 
 of his teacher and used this same trick In playing these variations. 
 
 (2) "IJesldes giving less t^ne than a violin mounted with lii-avy strings, the 
 fine strings have another liinwback, esi)ecinlly In wet weather, when the E 
 string is very apt to slip. This accident happened to Paganlni quite freciuently, 
 and Invariably detracted from the assurance with which b«' ordinarily played. 
 
 "An Important factor which enters Into his way of mounting the strlngfr, 
 with a view I0 playing h;iinionlcs. Is that the strings must be well attuned to 
 each other, or In other words, the fifths must be absolutely true, otherwise 
 a sequence of double harmonics would be Impossible." 
 
 Ouhr states that Paganlni carefully selected the fourth string before having 
 It drawn, choosing one of medium thickness if it was to be tuned to G and 
 finer if he infc-nded to tune It to A flat, or B flat. 
 
 "After what I have told of him, continues the German author, it is easy to 
 conceive that Paganlni, when he plays In put>llc, changes hiw (I as deslreil, and 
 thanks to the precaution above mentioned, the string remains absolutely In 
 tune. His skill In tuning In the middle of a number seems really quite Incredible. 
 
 I t'ttfttnnte rttntlnufd an page 24)
 
 24 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 "Paganini's bowing is above all remarkable for the bounding 
 movement which he uses in certain passages. His staccato is en- 
 tirely different from what is usually heard. He throws the bow on 
 the strings and runs up and down the scales with marvellous rapid- 
 ity, the cadences rippling out from beneath his fingers like so many 
 strings of pearls. The variety of his bowing is wonderful ; I never 
 heard such nicety, such precision, in marking time and sounding the 
 lightest beat in the most rapid movement; and yet what power he 
 can develop in slow passages ; with what deep feeling he breathes 
 the sigh of a heart torn with grief." 
 
 Guhr states in regard to Paganini's mingling of sounds pro- 
 duced by the bow and the pizzicato of the left hand, that this effect 
 was often used by the old Italian school, especially in Mestrino's 
 time; however, the French and German schools had condemned it 
 and it had fallen into disuse. "Paganini in reviving it added new 
 features, as he did in all branches of his art, and also added to the 
 difficulties. These latter consisted in sharply sounding the D and 
 G strings ; the flexibility of Paganini's strings permits him to do in 
 this respect what would be difficult to execute on a violin which was 
 more tensely strung." Besides, Paganini's bridge was less convex 
 than that of other violinists, particularly towards the treble string, 
 which permitted him to take three strings at once in the high 
 positions. 
 
 The use of harmonics was one of the most remarkable features 
 of his playing; he employed them with "wonderful skill"; chromatic 
 scales up and down, double and single trills, entire passages in 
 double stops, he rendered all these in harmonics with the greatest 
 ease.^^) 
 
 ( Footnote contintiedfrom page 23) 
 
 "He has his G finely but tightly wound — he never twists them, as it would 
 be detrimental, but after the string is covered, he draws it tightly between the 
 first finger and thumb, so that the thumb nail lightly scrapes the string cover- 
 ing, which brings out the sound more readily, and takes away that harshness 
 which new strings have." 
 
 (l> "A long time ago," says Fetis, "harmonics were discovered and used by 
 violinists, but the leaders In the art, like Tartini, Pugnani, Viotti, Gavinifes, Rode 
 and Balllot, did not practice them because they considered them tricks and 
 cheap expedients for obtaining effects, rather than legitimate means worthy of 
 the highest art. Tliey could not reconcile breadth of style and lofty ideas with 
 effects, which as* they were then practiced, required only a certain amount of 
 skill and strings of good quality. Paganini, however, did not look at the art 
 of violin playing in this way. He preferred variety of effects on his instrument 
 to using the usual means for acquiring a grand imposing style, and as he 
 
 (Footnote continued on page 25)
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 25 
 
 Referring to his playing on the G string, which did so much for 
 his reputation, Guhr writes: "Paganini, in order to play entire 
 numbers on the G string, raises it a minor third, (as has already 
 been stated), to B flat, or even B natural, using a very much finer 
 string. The compositions written for this purpose are usually in 
 the form of potpourris ; they begin with a recitative, followed by 
 various themes, and end in variations." (i) 
 
 In closing Guhr explains a few "seeming impossibilities" exe- 
 cuted by the great virtuoso, and rectifies an error which was quite 
 generally made, viz. : that people thought that Paganini's hand was 
 unusually large : "Paganini's hand," says he, "is anything but large, 
 but like the pianists who from childhood have exercised their hands 
 to develop reach, he learned to stretch it over three octaves." (2) 
 And the German violinist cites examples of this marvellous reach, 
 which enabled Paganini to strike four Cs in octaves, or four Ds, 
 or four B flats, using the four strings, on which he placed the first, 
 second, third and fourth fingers. 
 
 Resuming his biography we shall see how the public received 
 Paeanini in the numerous towns which he visited in Austria, Ger- 
 many, England and France. 
 
 I Footnote continued from page 24) 
 
 played harmonics, tlioy were no longer the easy trick used by the third class 
 violinists to hide the deficiencies of their performances; he exhausted them to 
 their utmost ran^o and introduced difficulties which would have appall. -d any- 
 one but him, for he was not satisfied with simple harmouifs playfd iti the usual 
 way: he introduced double harmonics, combinations of one or the otli«-r with 
 natural tones, effects by picking the strings, and by all these variations he 
 obtained novel effects which were no less remarkable as discoveries, than for 
 the .skill with which hf cx.cuted them."— (Revue Musicale, No. 27. 1,S30, p. 73. 
 rt. Nov. 20, 1830, and December, 1829). 
 
 <1) Of course it takes much practice to play this kind of <(.mpfisitlnn; how- 
 ever, the study is not nearly as difllcult as one mi(,'ht iniaKlu". and well within 
 the possibilities of every violinist. Paganini was celebrat.<l amnn;,' proffsslunals 
 and the general public for his playing rm the G string. Was this deserved? I 
 leave the answer to my rea/lers. after they have practiced It for some time; for 
 It cannot be .hnled that I'aganini .^-eeks to surprise the ear with apparent dlfll- 
 cultle.s, which after analysis, .an be played by any fairly good v|..llnlHt " (Onhr, 
 Iv'Art de Jouer dii violon de Paganini). 
 
 (2) Paganini put the thumb of his left hand In Ih.- middl.- ..f th- n.-rk of 
 the violin, and, thanks to his gnat str.-tch. cmld play < .pially well In th.^ three 
 first positions without "shifting."
 
 26 
 
 NICOLO PAGAN INI 
 
 III. 
 
 REAVING Milan the first of the month, Paganini, with 
 Signora Bianchi and his son, arrived at Vienna, March 
 1 6, 1828. A week later, on the 23rd, the first concert was 
 given in "Redoute Hall," and the Viennese were in a 
 frenzy of enthusiasm which has never since been equalled. ^^^ The 
 price of seats was five to ten florins ; the receipts rose to 12,000 flor- 
 ins (from 25,000 to 26,000 francs). After the first note from Paga- 
 nini's Guarnerio the frenzied plaudits of the crowd never ceased. 
 Fetis says in the Revue Musicale, "he played his first concerto in 
 B minor, a military sonata which was written entirely for the fourth 
 string, and which was so full of difficulties that it seemed to require 
 at least four strings ; also a larghetto, followed by variations on *La 
 Cenerentola' rendered on a single string. The orchestra went wild 
 with the audience, and overwhelmed the artist with enthusiastic 
 demonstrations of all kinds. "^2) 
 
 The Viennese press unanimously ratified the opinion of the pub- 
 lic and the musicians. 
 
 "What we have heard is past all belief, and words can not de- 
 scribe it." says the Musiker Zeitung, May 7 ; "suffice it to say that 
 his fellow artists are racking their brains to solve the mystery. His 
 is a sublime majesty, together with faultless purity of tone; his 
 octave passages and also those in tenths fly like arrows from the 
 bow, series of demi-semi-quavers, of which one pizzicato is imme- 
 diately followed by another coU'arco. and all this with absolute pre- 
 cision and nicety, so that the slightest shading is not lost to the 
 listener; strings mounted and unmounted without interruptions in 
 the most difficult and brilliant numbers. Ordinarily all this would 
 seem on the verge of charlatanism, but the execution is so inimitably 
 beautiful that words fail and we listen in mute delight." 
 
 On April 13th the second concert of the "Magician of the South" 
 was given, with the assistance of his companion Antonia Bianchi. 
 Three hours before the beginning of the concert the Redoute Hall 
 was crowded; more than three thousand people were there, and 
 seats sold at 5 silver florins. All the members of the imperial 
 
 (1) Kohut loc. cit. 
 
 (2) Revue Musicale, May, 1828, p. 354, Viennese Letters.
 
 I'AdANINI KNXOKKIJ Al' TIIK CI.(^SK OK A CONCKRT 
 (•'A I'avjanini recital in 1804," from the pMintinK by Gattt.)
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 27 
 
 family who were at the capital attended, which made a brilliant 
 assemblage. 
 
 On May nth Paganini was giving his sixth concert. "We hear 
 from Vienna (from Fetis' Revue) that Paganini is creating the 
 wildest enthusiasm and has become the idol of the fashionable 
 world, having, says the 'Austrian Observer,' temporarily dethroned 
 the giraffe recently sent by the Pasha of Egypt, and which hereto- 
 fore had been the object of much attention. All the society lead- 
 ers are vieing with each other for the honor of having him grace 
 their entertainments with his presence. So far as is known only 
 Prince Metternich has been favored. Be that as it may, he gave 
 his sixth concert on the eleventh of May, which was to be the 
 last, and the program was as follows: i. Overture from Lodoiska, 
 by Cherubini; 2. Concerto by Rode, consisting of an Allegro 
 Maestoso, an Adagio Cantabile in double chords, specially com- 
 posed for this concert, and interj^olated by the artist, and 
 a Polacca played by Paganiiii ; 3. Last air from "I'Ultimo 
 giorno di Pompeia," sung by Signora Bianchi ; 4. Sonata on 
 "Moses' Prayer" (by request) played on the fourth string by 
 Paganini; 5. Variations on a theme from "Armide," by Rossini, 
 sung by Signora Bianchi ; 6. Capriccio on the theme "La ci 
 darcm la mano," composed for violin, ami played by Paganini. 
 This concert, which was to be a matinee, had drawn a big crowd 
 which, as soon as the doors were opened, filled every seat two hours 
 before the beginning of the concert. Only a limited number of 
 seats had been reserved for Her Imperial Majesty, the Arch-Dukes 
 and Duchesses and other members of the Court. The artist re- 
 newed the triumphs of former occasions. It was understood that 
 he would leave for Munich." ^^^ 
 
 The enthusiasm of the amateurs spread like wild-fire. \'iennese 
 fashions were all "a la Paganini." In the restaurants, when olTer- 
 ing what was best and most expensive, the waiters asked the 
 patrons if they wished to dine a la Pagam'ni ; there were chops a 
 la Paganini ; rolls a la Paganini, .shaped like a violin ; women wore 
 ribbons, sashes, buttons a la Paganini; men smoked pipes and 
 cigars a la Paganini ; snufT was taken from snuff-boxes a la 
 Paganini ; people played on billiard tables a la Paganini, etc., etc. 
 
 Sonnets and acrostics to Nicolo Paganini were written by Italian 
 and German admirers, and Friedrich August Kanne wrote a poem 
 
 n) Revue Musicale. .lime 1S28, p. 452.
 
 28 
 
 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 consisting of twelve stanzas in his honor. The poet Castelli wrote 
 his Paganiniana, a dialogue on the "god of the violin." He invaded 
 even the realm of parody, and the "Theater an der Wien" on May 
 22, gave "The false artist, or the concerto on the G string," a 
 farce in two acts, by Meisel, music by Kapellmeister Glaser. 
 
 Finally Paganini was made "Kammervirtuos" by the Emperor, 
 and the city of Vienna presented him with a medal engraved 
 by Joseph Lang, which bore this inscription: VIENNA, 
 MDCCCXXVIII; the other side shows the master's violin and 
 bow, surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves resting upon a sheet 
 of music, bearing the first ten bars of "La Clochette." There is 
 also an inscription reading: "Perituris sonis non peritura gloria." 
 Up to the 24th of July Paganini was heard no less than twenty 
 times at Vienna. (i) His programs consisted exclusively of his own 
 compositions ; those which were most applauded and oftenest re- 
 peated were the variations on "Le Streghe," on "Moses' Prayer," on 
 "Nel cor piu non mi sento" and the rondo from "la Clochette." 
 "None of the Viennese violinists, Mayseder, Janka, Leon de Saint- 
 Lubin, Strebinger, Bohm, etc., could compare with him," says 
 Kohut ; "only one or two stars like Treichler, of the Imperial Opera, 
 tried to imitate his methods." On Dec. 26th he gave a concert "a la 
 Paganini" with great success. 
 
 The virtuoso's health was never robust, and he had to put him- 
 self under the care of the celebrated military surgeon Marenzeller, 
 who gave him the Hahnemann homeopathic treatment and advised 
 him to take the baths at Carlsbad. Paganini left Vienna for Bo- 
 hemia during the first part of August. 
 
 On returning to Vienna towards the end of November, after his 
 sojourn in Bohemia, Paganini, "loaded with laurels and tlorins" 
 (according to Kohut), repaired to Prague, where he had been in- 
 vited to come. In three weeks, on the ist, 4th, 9th, 13th, i6th and 20th 
 of December, he gave a series of six concerts. His reception in 
 this musical city, which takes just pride in the saying with which 
 Mozart distinguished it: "The people of Prague understood me," 
 was no less enthusiastic than at Vienna. However, Paganini there 
 met with severe attacks from the critics, who compared his playing 
 with that of the classical masters, and adversely criticised him for 
 
 (1) On June 12th, a concert wa.s given at the KJlrnthnerthortheater for the 
 benefit of Signora Bianchl, who had sung at all the preceding ones. The re- 
 ceipts were 3,000 florins. She also sang on June 24th, 27th and 30th.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 29 
 
 often using startling sounds, sometimes exaggerated and harsh; 
 they also called his cadenzas old-fashioned and denounced his play- 
 ing on the G string as charlatanism, and his frequent use of har- 
 monics as in bad taste. Among Paganini's most bitter adversaries 
 was the correspondent of the "Hamburger Boersenhalle," who 
 wrote to his paper: "I heard one of his concerts, but will never go 
 there again. He has a great agility of the left hand, which can be 
 acquired by practice, without talent or genius, or even brains and 
 intelligence — it is nothing but mechanical dexterity. What he 
 incessantly repeats is an indescribable combination of sounds on 
 the bridge which is in no sense legitimate, but resembles the chirp- 
 ing of sparrows, and at the end of each variation, a quick pizzicato 
 of six notes, with the left hand. His bowing is execrable. Not a 
 single violinist here felt like breaking his violin, as is said to have 
 happened in Vienna, but they are ridiculing him and the Viennese. 
 Of course there are people here also who are dazzled by his reputa- 
 tion and imagine his playing must be fine; no doubt some senti- 
 mental lady wept, but as no one besides her melted in tears, there 
 is nothing to corroborate the tale." 
 
 This criticism made no impression on the general public. In 
 spite of the fivefold prices of seats, everybody crowded to Paga- 
 nini's concerts. The la*st, on Dec. 20th, 1828, was announced as 
 follows by a Prague newspaper : 
 
 "The Chevalier Paganini, Virtuoso to his Majesty the Eni])cror 
 of Austria, on Saturday, Dec. 20th, by universal recjuest, will have 
 the honor to give another concert, which will be his last, and in 
 which will be performed among other things, 'The Tempest,' a 
 dramatic sonata for orchestra, with soli and variations for violin, 
 by Paganini, on the fourth string: i. The coming of the storm; 
 2. Rising of the tempest; 3. Prayer; 4. The fury of the sea; 5. 
 The hurricane; 6. The height of the storm; 7. Calm after tlu- 
 storm; 8. General rejoicing."(i> 
 
 On the same day Prof. Miillcr wrote in the "Prague Unterhal- 
 tungsblattcr" : 
 
 "Anyone who can comj^arc sounds of such remarkable purity 
 as Paganini's, to chirping of sparrows, doubtless considers ce-ha. 
 ee-ha, the sweetest harmony." Professor Afax Julius Schottky, taking 
 advantage of tlie artist's prolonged .stay at Prague, gathered ma- 
 
 (1) Revue Mu.slcale. June 1829, p. 594-595.
 
 30 
 
 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 terial for his celebrated biography of the king of the violin, a 
 bulky volume which appeared in 1830. Paganini remained in Bo- 
 hemia longer than was first intended. An unsuccessful operation had 
 caused an injury to his lower jaw, and he was obliged to undergo 
 treatment at Prague; the extraction of his lower teeth was deemed 
 necessary, and was followed by an inflammation of the larynx. 
 About Jan. 15th, 1829, Paganini was finally able to leave Prague. 
 The six concerts which he had given there, netted him 3,650 florins. 
 
 He went first to the kingdom of Saxony and played at Dresden, 
 Jan. 23rd. with a success which can be estimated at 1,250 thalers 
 (about 4,700 francs) and was presented with a gold snuflf box by 
 the King of Saxony. 
 
 On Feb. 12th he was in Leipzig, where he was to play on the 
 i6th; however, owing to difliculties of a financial nature which 
 arose, the concert could not take place. Paganini demanded that 
 the orchestra be reduced by half, and would not accept the singer 
 provided by the management ; the price of seats having been tripled, 
 he nevertheless refused to comply with a very praiseworthy custom, 
 which prevailed for the benefit of the orchestra, their pay being 
 doubled whenever the ordinary price for seats was raised. As he 
 could obtain no exception to this rule, Paganini left Leipzig with 
 the reputation of being avaricious and soon after arrived at Berlin. 
 
 Always in ill health, and suffering from the effects of the Ger- 
 man climate besides, he, although having arrived on Feb. i8th, 
 did not give his first concert until March 4th. This was followed 
 by four others in one month, besides concerts and "demi-concerts" 
 at the Royal Opera. 
 
 After his first appearance, at the Schauspiclhaus, Paganini over- 
 came all prejudice against himself in Berlin. When he had barely 
 finished the first movement of a concerto, composed by himself, the 
 audience gave him a most enthusiastic ovation. 
 
 "Paganini accomplishes the incredible," writes Ludwig Rellstab 
 in the Vossische Zeiting. "He does not overcome difficulties — 
 they do not exist for him. He does not surpass other violinists ; he 
 has created an entirely new instrument which he alone masters ; 
 double chords are child's-play to him, he uses them to rest himself ; 
 to play two or three parts at a time is another matter. Playing 
 pieces for two parts, pizzicato, at the same time carrying a melody 
 with the bow — that is one of the little wonders that this grand-
 
 (') 
 
 (J) 
 
 TWO CARICATURES OF PAGANISM 
 (I. Lithograph by Mantoux.) (.•. Lithograph by (irnnvilli-, from the icrra-cotia 
 
 figure- by Oantan.)
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 31 
 
 master of 'Streghe' (sorcery) shows us. What are mere words? 
 Listen ! Listen ! That is the only answer to this riddle. Come, 
 open your ears, and pay attention, for Paganini solves and creates 
 difficulties which no one has ever dared to undertake. His phenome- 
 nal triumphs, such as no artist has ever yet met with, showed to the 
 incomparable virtuoso that the public tried, at least in a measure, 
 to show their appreciation of his achievements." 
 
 At the second concert, on March 13th, when no less than 2,000 
 seats were sold at two thalers, the audience was as enthusiastic as 
 at the first. 
 
 In April, the "Magician of the South" gave two charity concerts, 
 on the 6th and 29th, at the Opera House, half the receipts going to 
 the victims of the floods in Prussia. He played a concerto by Rode, 
 and had hardly begun when the E string of his violin broke ; he 
 continued playing on the three others without the slightest sign of 
 discomfiture. At the eighth concert, he played "Le Streghe" and 
 "Heil dir im Siegerkranz" fCod save the King), on which he had 
 composed variations while at Berlin. 
 
 As at Vienna, Paganini inspired the poets ; in March a cer- 
 tain Karl Holtei published a poem in his honor. Inirthermorc. 
 he had the distinction of being the object of various witticisms by 
 the humorist Saphir, who, indignant at not having received compli- 
 mentary tickets for Paganini's concerts, ironically com])lain<.(l about 
 this in an article in the "Schnellpost": "Paganini. two dollars and 
 I," at the conclusion of which he said: "We arc both ri};ht. he on 
 a single string (Saitc) and I on several pages (Seitcn)." 
 
 (This word-play cannot be translated. ) 
 
 From Berlin, Paganini left, towards the niicMle of May, for 
 Warsaw; in passing through Frankfort-on-the-Odcr, he gave a 
 concert there, "a great deal better rendered than was to be ex- 
 pected." says the Gazette musicale, "as the artist arrived the night 
 before at eleven o'clock. He excited the greatest enthusiasm. "<*> 
 At I'>ankff)rt Pajranini was the guest of funeral /.i<lyn^ki's wife. 
 
 Suffering physically, he reached the Polish capital on Friday, 
 May 22nd. and on the following day gave his first concert, for 
 which the receipts were 1,833 Prussian thalers, f about 6,900 francs). 
 Chopin was present. At Warsaw Paganini again met his former 
 rival of 1818. T,ipinski. This time, the struggle lacked the courtesy 
 
 (1) Revue Musicale, .June 1829. p. 430. Berlin letter. May 19th.
 
 32 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 which had marked it in Turin; Lipinski was openly put up against 
 Paganini ; the Pole and the Genoese each had his followers, and 
 the rivalry finally resulted in an open broil. (i) 
 
 After his last concert, July 14th, a banquet was given on the 
 19th, at the end of which Eisner, the director of the Conservatory, 
 presented him with a gold snufif box in the name of a number of 
 amateurs ; the box bore the following inscription : "To Chevalier 
 Paganini, from admirers of his talent, July 19th, 1829." 
 
 Negotiations were begun with Paganini to extend his tour to 
 Russia, but his health absolutely forbade his complying with the 
 urgent requests to visit St. Petersburg and Moscow. He intended 
 rather to visit the springs at Ems, by way of Breslau and Berlin. 
 He returned once more to Germany, where he traveled for two 
 months before settling in Frankfort-on-the-Main for a more pro- 
 tracted stay. Towards the end of July, we find him at Breslau, 
 where he writes under date of July 31st to the Maestro Onorio 
 De-Vito, at Naples, that he "has just come back from Warsaw 
 where he was called for the coronation of Emperor Nicholas as 
 King of Poland, and where he gave six concerts. He is returning to 
 Berlin, having promised the public to do so." (2) 
 
 He arrived about the 15th of August and on that day wrote a 
 letter to Giacomo Trivelli, recommending one of his pupils, Gaetano 
 Ciandelli, a very talented 'cellist. Ten days later the first of his four 
 concerts was given at Frankfort-on-the-Main, for which he received 
 two-thirds of the receipts, which were 9,500 florins. In September 
 he was at Darmstadt, Mainz and Mannheim. 
 
 In the three months following, Paganini toured southern Ger- 
 many, visiting successively more than twenty cities : Leipzig, Halle, 
 Magdeburg, Halberstad, Dessau, Erfurt, Weimar, Gotha, Wurz- 
 burg, Rudolstadt, Coburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Mu- 
 nich, Augsburg, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Mainz and DiJsseldorf.(3) 
 
 (1) Someone had asked Paganini who was the first and foremost violinist 
 of his time, and the artist, after a moment's reflection, replied: "The first — I 
 really cannot say, but the second Is undoubtedly Lipinski." 
 
 (2) Taken from an autograph letter, furnished by M. Charnvay. 
 
 (3) A delightful letter from Paganini to Donizetti is dated Leipzig, Oct. 
 8th. "AchiUe, my darling- Achille," he writes, "is all my delight; he grows 
 In beauty and talent; he speaks German fluently and serves as my interpreter. 
 He loves me dearly, and I simply adore him. To-morrow I give my second 
 concert at the theatre in this city; the third will be next Monday. I shall 
 leave the day after to give a concert at the neighboring town, Halle, then 
 at Magdeburg, Weimar, Erfurt, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Carlsruhe, Mannheim — " 
 In the letter he mentions several persons, and among others Count Dietrich- 
 stein. (Outline of letter furnished by M. Charavay).
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 33 
 
 His appearance at Leipzig was the subject of a long article in 
 the "Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung" : "Paganini is here," says 
 one of the editors, "and has given us the pleasure of three concerts 
 at the theatre." He goes on to review Paganini's life from his 
 own accounts and those of his manager, Lieutenant Couriol, en- 
 deavoring to show that the Italian virtuoso's playing was not dia- 
 bolical in the least, but that, on the contrary, he was very human. 
 On Oct. 9th, 1 2th and 21st, Paganini was heard at Leipzig. Among 
 other things he played his Sonata Militaire on the G string, his 
 concerto in B-flat minor, a sonata by Rode, the variations on Moses' 
 Prayer, and the "La ci darem," from Don Juan, which were most ap- 
 preciated by the amateurs. At Weimar, on the 31st of the same month, 
 he played at the Court Theatre, assisted by Hiimmel ; at Nurem- 
 berg, his two concerts, on the 9th and 12th respectively, created 
 great enthusiasm, (his variations on the Neapolitan song, "Oh! 
 mamma" (1) and also on Le Streghe met with the most success). 
 The editor of the Allgemeine notes with some pride that Paga- 
 nini expressed himself pleased with the work of the orchestra at 
 the theatre (he who was so very particular in this respect), and 
 also at the three entertainments which he gave at Munich on Nov. 
 17th and 25th. 
 
 Before leaving the Bavarian capital, on the 27th, the queen in- 
 vited him to the castle at Tegernsce. "The moment the concert 
 was to begin there was a great tumult outside, and the queen in- 
 quired as to the cause of the uproar. She was informed that about 
 sixty peasants from the environs, having heard of the arrival of 
 the celebrated Italian violinist, had come in the hope of hearing 
 him and now demanded that the windows be left ojicn so tli.it 
 they could have the benefit of his playing. The good queen, al- 
 ways ready to please them, did more than grant their request, for 
 she gave orders to admit them to the concert-hall, where they were 
 noticeable not only for the judgment which they showed in ap- 
 plauding, but by their genteel behavior. "(- ) 
 
 Leaving Munich, where his receipts amounted to 5,500 llorins, 
 on the 27th, Paganini came to Augsburg the next day. On Dec. 
 3rd and 7th he played at Stuttgart, where be received a picMut 
 of a hundred louis d'or from the King of Wurtcmbnrg. After a 
 la.st stop at Karlsruhe he returned to Frankfort toward the middle 
 
 (1) These are the varlatlonH on the Carnlvfil of Venice. 
 
 (2) Revue Mu.ilcale, Jan. 1830, p. 551-552.
 
 34 
 
 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 of December. From the i8th on he was heard at the Museum, of 
 which he was made a honorary member; however, he did not play 
 before the general public until much later, if we can rely on the 
 authenticity of a notice addressed to the musical journal of Leip- 
 zig- (/) 
 
 Still he appeared at the theatre shortly after, the orchestra be- 
 ing conducted by Guhr, the careful observer who dissected the 
 master's playing so minutely during his long stay on the banks 
 of the Main;(2) he made this city his headquarters in Germany, 
 for his campaign in 1830, before deciding to cross over into 
 France. 
 
 All the papers were full of him. It is said that after his first 
 departure from Frankfort, that is, in less than three months, he had 
 made more than 3,000 florins, and had deposited 44,000 Prussian 
 thalers in an English bank. "He is said to be after the money," 
 says the Revue Musicale, "for which he can easily be forgiven, 
 when it is remembered that he is amassing a fortune for a son four 
 years of age, whom he seems to love devotedly." (^) 
 
 Through the illness of Achille, Paganini was detained at Frank- 
 fort during the winter of 1829 to 1830, and busied himself with 
 writing, among other things a composition "in which he used themes 
 by Spohr, and which he intended to play in Paris only," says the 
 Revue Musicale. On Feb. 14th, he began a series of concerts, be- 
 fore going on his journey; the last of these was given on April 
 26th. According to the Revue Musicale this concert drew only a 
 small audience, and he realized only 600 florins as compared to an 
 average receipt of 3,000 at previous concerts. At this time it was 
 repeatedly reported that he would soon leave for Holland, where 
 he was to stay until the end of the year, and go to Paris about the 
 middle of December, remaining there four months. The papers 
 
 (1) Allg. Musik. Zeit., Jan. 27. 1830. col. 57. 
 
 (2) According to Conestabile, Paganini netted 8,000 florins at Frankfort. 
 It mu.st be understood that this figure includes the concerts of 1829 and 1830, 
 which we will mention later. 
 
 (3) Revue Musicale, Jan. 1830, p. 551. According to Harrys, Paganini 
 had deposited, In the summer of 1830, the sum of 169,000 fTorins in a Viennese 
 bank. His last concerts (in Northern Germany) had brought him from 9,000 to 
 10,000 thalers (37,000 francs). The report that he had deposited 40,000 ducats 
 in London, was false. From Paganini's own statement his receipts in 1828 
 had been as follows: 11,500 florins at Milan, 12,000 at Bologna, 10,000 at 
 Genoa, 30,000 at Vienna, and 5,300 at Prague, making a total of 68.300 florins 
 or about 140,000 francs.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 35 
 
 stated that he had gone by way of Northern Germany, where he 
 visited the small principalities and the "free" cities. 
 
 As a matter of fact, after leaving Cologne and Dusseldorf, he 
 was in Cassel during May, having been invited by Spohr. The 
 result of the first concert, however, did not seem to satisfy him. 
 for he wrote Spohr a letter in Italian on the 26th, the contents of 
 which were as follows : "The proceeds of the concert yesterday," 
 he told his colleague, "did not amount to even half of the 1,500 
 thalcrs which had been guaranteed to him in the letter of invita- 
 tion, which he had received while at Frankfort. He asks him, 
 therefore, to cancel the second concert on Sunday, as it seems that 
 foreign artists are little regarded there. He would very much like 
 to have a souvenir of .S. A. R., if she would honor him .so far, and 
 he will always be indebted to Spohr for giving him the pleasure 
 of letting his violin be heard at Cassel." (^ ) 
 
 Nevertheless the second concert took place, on the 30th, as ap- 
 pears in an abstract from Spohr's Autobiography : 
 
 "In June, 1830, Paganini came to Cassel and gave two concerts 
 at the theatre, which were of the highest interest to me. His left 
 hand work, as well as his intonation, are marvellous in my estima- 
 tion. In his compositions as well as in his playing, however, I 
 found a certain mixture of childlike lack of taste and the stamp of 
 genius, so that the total impression, after hearing him repeatedly, 
 did not entirely satisfy me. He was there at the time of the Pente- 
 cost holidays, and I invited him to a luncheon on the second day, 
 at Wilhelmshoehc; he was very gay and positively merry. "(2) 
 
 On June 3rd anrl 6th he appeared at the Hoftlicatcr at Han- 
 over. 
 
 On the 13th he arrived at Hamburg and gave two or three con- 
 certs there, the first being on the 25th, and the second on the 28th; 
 his variations on Moses' Prayer and the Neapolitan song "Oh ! 
 mammal" were mo.st applauded. The Grand Duke of Oldenburg 
 was present. On the 27th Paganini assisted at the St. Peter's 
 church at the religious festivals at .Augsburg. (•' ) About this time 
 he visited I'.remen, where the i)eople crowded to the .*^chauspiclhau>. 
 for the two concerts he gave in this city. 
 
 (1) Spohr. Selbstblographle. II, p. 180. 
 
 (2) Synopsis of an autogrraph letter fumlshed by M. Charavny. 
 (8) Allg. Muslk. Zelt., Nov. 10th. 1830. col. IZH-IZO.
 
 36 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 After this tour in Northern Germany, Paganini returned to 
 Frankfort for a rest, where he again joined his dear little Achillino, 
 whom he had left for two or three months in the care of his land- 
 lady. It may have been at this time, rather than the preceding year, 
 that he appeared at Karlsruhe. 
 
 The Revue Musicale of Aug. 14th tells of his visiting "lately 
 at the different therm.al springs in the principality of Nassau, and 
 the Grand-Duchy of Baden. He was there as a patient and did not 
 let himself be heard. Nevertheless, he excited so much curiosity 
 that in Ems a travelling artist, who gave a concert, and announced 
 that Paganini would assist, had excellent box-office results." 
 
 Several months later he left Frankfort and started for France. 
 Several times a rumor of his being in Paris incognito had been 
 spread, and malevolent stories were added to the wonderful ad- 
 ventures told with Paganini as the hero; a letter from one of his 
 countrymen, Fontano Pino, urging him to put an end to these ab- 
 surdities, which would surely cause trouble for him, prompted him 
 to leave at once for Paris. 
 
 He stopped only once on the way, long enough to give two 
 concerts at the theatre in Strassburg, Feb. 14th and 17th, 1831. 
 
 On Saturday the 19th he finally arrived in Paris, and that same 
 evening he went to the "Italiens" to "rapturously applaud Mme. 
 Malibran's wonderful art" in Othello. (i) 
 
 (1) Revue Musicale, Feb. 26th, 1831.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY ^y 
 
 IV. 
 
 CARCELY six months after the Revohition whicli had 
 put Louis Phillippe on the throne, Paganini arrived in 
 Paris, on the day following the sacking of Saint-Germain 
 I'Auxerrois and the Archbishopric. Politics were very 
 much unsettled, and inspired violent and lengthy tirades in the press. 
 The literary and artistic world was beginning to boil with the ro- 
 mantic fever; "Notre-Dame de Paris" was to come out on March 
 15th; and on the 9th Paganini gave his first concert. 
 
 Previously, on March 2nd, he was to be presented at the court 
 in the Palais-Royal, which was occupied by the citizen-king. "Sig- 
 ner Paganini," says the Courrier des Theatres of the 3rd, "had 
 been invited by M. Paer to play before the king yesterday ; a sudden 
 indisposition deprived the virtuoso of this honor." On the day of 
 the audience Paganini had asked his former teacher to make his 
 excuses to the king, as "his cough prevented him, just then, from 
 appearing before his majesty."(^ ) 
 
 The concert on Wednesday, March 9th, was his first appearance 
 before the Parisians. After having spent several days looking for 
 a hall (he had not yet chosen on the 5th), he found he could have 
 the "Opera," of which Dr. \'eron had just taken charge (March 
 1st). 
 
 "The conditions," says Boerne, "were two concerts a week, 
 on Wednesdays and Sundays ; Paganini was to receive two-thirds 
 of the receipts for the Wednesday concerts and, aside from a sum 
 of 3,000 francs, the whole of the Sunday receipts." 
 
 In the meantime the artist had attended several performances at 
 the "Oj)era des Italiens" and the Conservatory concert. I'eh. 27th. at 
 which he was said to have been perfectly astounded (among other 
 things the C minor symphony of Beethoven had been played). 
 I-'inally, on tlie 8th the Cowricr des Theatres announced : "To- 
 morrow the celebrated Paganini will be heard. There will be a 
 special program in honor of the occasion. A ballet will conclude 
 the performance, and it will be a gala night in every way." 
 
 It was an evening never to be forgotten in the annals of the 
 Royal Academy of Music. The hall was crowded with celebrities 
 and notables of all kinds; the court, the aristocracy, politics, litcra- 
 
 (1) Contents of autograph letter, fumlahed by M. Charavay. March 7lh. 
 1881; to Paer.
 
 38 
 
 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 ture and fine arts were all represented. The wild enthusiasm of the 
 
 assemblage might be estimated by the receipts, which amounted to 
 19,069 francs. 
 
 "The violin in Paganini's hands," says Fetis, "is no longer the 
 instrument of Tartini or Viotti, it is something widely different, 
 a thing apart. A body specially suited for this marvellous playing 
 is not sufficient to obtain such results; it requires earnest, deep and 
 persevering study; a happy instinct in solving the problems of his 
 art and his indomitable will, help him to surmount all obstacles." (i) 
 
 Castil-Blaze (XXX to the readers of the Journal des Debats) 
 reported as follows, on the third concert : 
 
 "Paganini is doubtless very learned; his compositions, his dis- 
 coveries, which are the result of thought seemingly beyond the 
 flight of the hum.an mind, prove it. He has paid homage to our 
 musical world by writing a concerto especially for France, and 
 which is not to be produced anywhere except in Paris. It seems 
 another evidence of his wonderful intuition which led him to feel 
 that our taste runs decidedly to noble music, elegant, passionate and 
 graceful, to compositions treated with all the vigor of coloring that 
 harmony can give, and all the charm of dreamy, playful, and heroic 
 moods in turn, and the wildest daring of which melody is capable. 
 This concerto, in D minor, has a m.ost original form and includes 
 some very picturesque effects. The first violin, in the highest regis- 
 ter, replies to the trombones, which roar in hollow tones ; it takes 
 up the strain where the trumpets have just left it and renders it 
 in harmonics, in such a way that it seems as though the same in- 
 strument were still playing; the sound is identical. The skill, the 
 magic of Paganini's playing astonishes me more every day." (2) 
 
 On the first night Paganini had played his concerto in E minor; 
 at the second concert (Sunday, March 13th), he played a concerto 
 which he had reserved for the Parisians : "Lo voglio sverginare a 
 Parigi," he said. On the same evening he played "La Clochette" 
 and the variations on Moses' Prayer. Nourrit, Levasseur, Dabadie 
 and Mile. Dorus appeared with him. Fetis asserted that Baillot 
 "puts more passion, more delicate sentiment into an adagio by Mo- 
 zart or Beethoven, than Paganini has in his entire system." (") 
 
 (1) "Revue MuslcaJe." March 1831. 
 
 (2) Journal des Dfebats," musical criticisms, Paganini's 2nd and 3rd con- 
 aerts. 
 
 (3) "Revue Musicale," March 1831.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 39 
 
 The third concert, postponed on account of a court function, 
 took place a week later, on the 20th ; the receipts for this reached 
 the highest figure of the eleven concerts given by Paganini, 21,895 
 francs. On Wednesday, the 23rd, the receipts were scarcely less 
 (20,869 francs). The artist asked the Duchess of Orleans to 
 assist at his concert on Sunday the 27th, and wrote to Veron : "I 
 want this concert to be more ornamental than useful," and to 
 this end he asked Her Majesty to do him the honor to assist; he 
 also asked the Director of the Opera to have Mme. Damoreau sing: 
 "I would ask, in your interest as well as for my satisfaction, that 
 you advertise her appearance in large letters on your announcements 
 for the week, and I would also like you to put on some pretty 
 ballet."(i^ The financial results for this evening were 16,014 francs. 
 The following concerts (April ist, 3d, 8th and 15th) brought 14.436. 
 14,113, 16,063 ^"cl 9,144 francs respectively. On Sunday, April 
 17th, an extra concert for the benefit of the poor brought the receipts 
 down to 6,105 francs (2), which did not rise above 11,502 francs at 
 the last concert (April 24th). The total for the eleven was 165,741 
 francs. Paganini had to give up the Opera on the loth on account 
 of a charity affair which was to be held there the next day. He 
 then gave concerts at the Theatre Italien. He was accused of hav- 
 ing refused to assist in this charitable work, and refuted this ac- 
 cusation in a letter, under date of April 9th, published by the papers. 
 It meant a loss to him, he said, to give up his concert on the loth, 
 and it was, moreover, his intention, before he left Paris, to give a 
 concert for charity, as he had done in all the foreign cities which he 
 had visited. 
 
 Paganini left Paris about the enrl of A])ril, on his way to Eng- 
 land. On the 27th he wrote a farewell letter to Paer, signing him- 
 self "his grateful pupil." On the 6th he had written to a Mon.sicur 
 Guillain that he wouUl be heard at Douai and at Pille.^'^ We 
 
 (1) Contents of autograph letter furnl.'?hed by M. Charavny. 
 
 (2) Besides? thl3 sum, says "I-e Monlfour." Papanlnl himsolf donated 3,000 
 franos to n charity organization and to a niimhor of noody famlllPH. Tlio ex- 
 penses to the management of the Opera were 3,3?.B francs BO rmtlmes, so that 
 thorn still remained 2,768 francs M centimes, to be dl3trlbut»>d by the PiiMIc 
 Charities Institutions. "Messrs. Nourrit, Dahadle. Al. Dupont and Mllo Donis. 
 wishing to assist Paganini In his charitable deed, did not rl.ilm their remunera- 
 tion, which totaled 290 francs" (May r!d). "Thin time." says the "Courrler dc» 
 Thentres," "the Italian langunRc was not exclusively used, and n few French 
 words were heard, like an oasis In the desert. TTnfortunately. the liall seemed 
 to be this desert. Only 4,000 francs were realized" (May 12th). 
 
 (?,) Anto;,';aril-s transmitted by M. Charnvay.
 
 40 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 do not know whether he kept this promise ; at any rate, "he received 
 for two concerts, given at Calais and at Boulogne, nearly 10,000 
 francs, according to a London paper," says the Moniteur of May 
 20th, having refused to play at Dover, making an average of £200 
 (5,000 francs). (1) 
 
 On arriving at London Paganini signed a contract whereby he 
 was bound to give six concerts at the King's Theatre. (^j The Lon- 
 don public, like the Parisians, impatiently awaited the arrival of the 
 great violinist. Several days before the first concert the hall was 
 sold out, although the price of seats was one, two, and even three 
 guineas; it was said that Paganini would receive £2,000 (50,000 
 francs) per evening. 
 
 He was engaged by Laporte to appear for the first time. May 
 2ist, on the stage of the Royal Theatre, but the day before, being 
 indisposed, he was forced to postpone his debut. 
 
 The musical journal. The Harmonic on, reports all the contro- 
 versies in the daily papers which arose upon Paganini's arrival, 
 and the reports of his exorbitant demands. In general, aside from 
 the artistic question, the English press could scarcely be called favor- 
 ably disposed toward him. All this noise, these discussions explain 
 better than any indisposition (which may, however, have been real), 
 why the first concert was postponed for two weeks. The Revue 
 Musicale echoed the sentiment. "The papers report Paganini as 
 insolent, impertinent," writes a London correspondent; "Leporte, 
 the manager of the Italian Opera, has doubled the price of seats. 
 Never before has the price of the cheap seats been raised in Lon- 
 don." Several days after the Revue announces that Paganini was 
 compelled to lower the price of seats for his concert. This explains 
 the letter in which he excuses himself for having demanded the 
 raising of prices. 
 
 Finally, the first concert took place, on Friday, June 3d, for 
 which the receipts were £yoo. The concerto in E-flat and the Mili- 
 
 (1) "Revue Musicale," May 21st, 1831. 
 
 (2) The substance of a letter, written in French, under date of June 1st, 
 to the "Courrier" and the "Globe," and which is part of the collection of 
 Fillon and Bovet, has been given by M. Charavay as follows: "Being in the 
 habit of doubling the ordinary price of seats in all the towns In which he had 
 played on the Continent, he wanted to do the same in London; however, when he 
 learned that ordinary prices were already far higher than on the other side 
 of the Channel, he readily conformed to the English customs." This letter, 
 consisting of two four-page sheets, Is signed twice, and was offered for sale 
 March 7th, 1907, by Llepmannsohn. at Berlin.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 4J 
 
 tary Sonata on the fourth string found much favor. A week later 
 the second concert brought ii200. Paganini played a new concerto 
 in B-flat minor, the Carneval of X'enice, and Moses' IVaycr. On 
 Monday he reappeared with a new concerto ; the receipts were £900. 
 On the 1 6th he played a Cantabile which he had composed for two 
 strings, a Rondo Scherzoso by Kreutzer and variations on La Cene- 
 rentola; at the fifth concert, which was announced to be the last, the 
 hall was filled to overflowing; but this last concert was followed by 
 ten further ones, announced as "the very last, positively the last, 
 irrevocably the last," etc., (June 27th and 30th, July 4th, 15th, 25th, 
 27th, at the Opera, etc.) Finally, on August 20th, at his last appear- 
 ance before the London public, he was "rapturously encored." The 
 receipts for the fifteen concerts were £9000. two-thirds of which 
 went to Paganini. 
 
 In the meantime he had appeared at London Tavern (July 13th 
 and 1 6th), and in several drawing rooms of the highest aristocracy 
 (June 2ist at Lord Holland's, etc.), and, moreover, he was not too 
 proud to give special lessons, at enormous prices, to several ladies 
 who were anxious to see him face to face, whom the Athenaeum 
 had called "truly a Zamiel in appearance, and without doubt a demon 
 in performance." 
 
 Having an engagement at Norwich for assize week. Paganini 
 left London for a few days toward the end of July. His manager. 
 Pellet, "lost money," says the Harmnnicon; "Signor Paganini pock- 
 eted about £800 sterling!" The receipts for the three concerts were 
 £867, according to the same paper.^^^ 
 
 It is '^aid that King r.corgr TV. wisht-d him to dedtict 50 \wx 
 cent, of the price of £100 which he asked for an appearance at Court, 
 but Paganini replied that His Majesty could hear him cheaper by 
 attending one of his concerts at the theatre, and he did not care to 
 be bargained with. 
 
 At the end of August Paganini was engaged for the festival at 
 Dublin, from where he seems to have vi.sited various towns in Ire- 
 land. He first appeared on Scptcnilur ist at the festival ( tlie re- 
 ceipts were £182 IDS.) anfl sul)sef|uently gave several concerts at the 
 theatre, the first of which brought £700. On October ist he was at 
 
 (1) The "Harmonlcon," Sept.-mber, 1R31. pp. 217 and 22(5: Pnjranlnl also 
 played at Cheltfiihnm on Anpust fith; rlrrnmPt.nncpfl fnrr».<1 him to lo.ivo pre- 
 cipitately to avoid the anger of the crowd ("Revue MiiBlrjile." November Gth, 
 p. 816.)
 
 42 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 York, and several days later he wrote from Limerick to his caro 
 Pacini, "Questa sera daro il secondo concerto e domani partiro per 
 Dublin©." He remained at the Irish capital until the middle of the 
 
 month, and on Monday the 17th "at i o'clock the splendid coach of 
 the modern Orpheus stopped at his rooms in Fleet Street, to take 
 the Signer away from the metropolis through the south of Ire- 
 land."(i) 
 
 He then returned to the larger isle, which he toured extensively 
 before crossing to the Continent again. Toward the end of Novem- 
 ber he played at Brighton (he had been paid 200 guineas in ad- 
 vance to come there). On December ist, in London, he had to 
 undergo an operation at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, regarding 
 which the Harmonicon gives us no actual details, but of which it 
 speaks with unmerciful sarcasm: "Paganini in the surgical The- 
 atre." On December 17th the Court Journal announced the reap- 
 pearance of the artist ; Ecce iterum Crispinus, writes the Harmoni- 
 con, which states that Paganini refused 1,800 guineas from a man- 
 ager at Liverpool, for six evenings. He demanded ii6,ooo for fif- 
 teen evenings at Vauxhall Gardens. 
 
 "It has been proposed to give him the title of Marchese de Cre- 
 mona ; others claim he should be made Duca d'Inghilterra-Stolta."(2) 
 Finally, the Courier shows us Paganini at Winchester about Febru- 
 ary loth, 1832, earning £200 in twenty-eight minutes, or at the rate 
 of ii2 IDS. per second, "while in certain countries a laborer gets 
 only 4s. 6d. per week !" 
 
 Three months later, when the concert given at the Paris Opera 
 House, for the benefit of the poor, was reported, the English musical 
 papers complained, with some reason, it must be admitted, that 
 Signor Paganini had acquired i20,ooo in England and had not given 
 a single charity concert there. (3) 
 
 Before leaving London Paganini closed a contract, undoubtedly 
 advantageous, with a manager who, for a certain percentage, or 
 a fixed commission, undertook all the business details of the tours 
 in Belgium and Northern France which he was about to undertake. 
 Paganini was the first, it seems, to thus "hire himself out" to a man- 
 ager. The matter nearly caused a scandal at the time ; it seemed 
 unworthy of an artist to sell his talent to a third party, who under- 
 
 (1) The "Harmonicon," November, 1881, p. 382. 
 
 (2) The "Harmonicon," January, 1832, p. 21. 
 
 (3) Ibid., May, 1S32, p. 119.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 43 
 
 took to exploit it at his own risk and responsibility. However, in 
 view of the good results, the practical side of this proceeding had 
 to be recognized, which, moreover, was absolutely legitimate, and 
 soon others followed his example. 
 
 "Paganini," says Grove, "aroused more curiosity than en- 
 thusiasm." He himself, in a manuscript letter dated London, 
 August loth, 183 1, complains of the clamorous and ob.strusive 
 attentions with which he was annoyed while in London. "Although 
 the curiosity to see me had long been satisfied, although I had 
 played in public more than thirty times, and although my portrait 
 has been published in every conceivable style and pose, I cannot 
 leave my rooms without collecting a crowd, which is content to 
 follow or accompany me ; they walk beside me, ahead of me, they 
 speak to me in English, of which I do not understand a word, they 
 touch me as though to make sure that I am flesh and blood. And 
 this does not apply merely to the ordinary crowd, but to the better 
 class of people." 
 
 Be that as it may, he had created a great sensation in England, 
 and although he had antagonized the press, if not the public, by 
 his exorbitant demands and the fabulous sums paid to hear him, 
 the papers recognized his wonderful genius and endeavored to dis- 
 cover the "secret" of his art. 
 
 About March loth, Paganini returned to Paris, where he was 
 more assured of success/^' After a concert given at tlic "Italions." 
 his first public appearance was a charity concert, with which an 
 English paper was soon to reproach him so bitterly. Paganini ar- 
 rived in a city decimated by the ravages of cholera. 
 
 "Deeply grieved by the sorrow which afflicts all humanity," he 
 writes on April 8th, "I should like to give a concert, the receijUs 
 from which shall be devoted to the victims of the cruel scoiirge 
 which has come over the capital."^^) "The Minister of Commerce 
 and Public Works has accepted this offer," says the MoniUur on 
 the 13th, "and on next Wednesday intends to place one of the 
 large theatres of Paris at the disposal of the distinguished musi- 
 cian." The concert took place at the Opera amid the wildest en- 
 thusiasm and applause, "which he acknowledged modestly and sym- 
 
 (IP'At last I shall hear a little munlc a«nln." he Is snld to hii%<' romnrkcd 
 on leaving the atpamer at Havre (OallgTJanufl-Mpsnenger). He gave a concert 
 at Havre on March 8th or 9th. 
 
 (J) Letter with poatscrlpt. contents given by M. Charavay. The addrM»«e 
 wa» doubtless the Minister of the Int»;rlor
 
 44 
 
 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 pathetically," says the official paper of the 23d. The box office re- 
 ceipts were 9,728 francs 40 centimes, leaving, after deducting ex- 
 penses, 9,154 francs 20 centimes for "the poor people afflicted by the 
 cholera." 
 
 Other concerts soon followed that at the Opera, on April 
 27th, Fridays and Mondays, May 4th, 7th, 14th, 21st, 25th and 
 June 1st, for which the receipts are not mentioned in the files of 
 the Opera, but which were probably less than those of the pre- 
 ceding year. Some time later, he was again in London, where 
 he gave a series of concerts of which the four "positively the last" 
 took place in August at Covent Garden. The slight attention 
 which the press pretended to pay to Paganini at this time is 
 noticeable, although his popularity with the public was fully as 
 great as the year before. 
 
 Paganini finished in France in the year 1833. He was dan- 
 gerously ill about the month of December, but, as the Gazette 
 Musicale reports on January 5th, "he is better and will soon be re- 
 stored to his art and to his admirers." His illness was doubt- 
 less of short duration, for Paganini had assisted, on Dec. 22nd, 
 at a concert given by Berlioz, who, about this time, was to write 
 him a symphony with a solo for viola. "Paganini, whose health 
 improved from day to day," again reports the Gazette of the i6th, 
 "has asked Berlioz to write him a new composition in the style of the 
 'Symphonic Fantastique,' which the celebrated violinist intends 
 to produce on his return from England. This work will be en- 
 titled 'The Last Moments of Mary Stuart,' dramatic phantasy for 
 orchestra, chorus and viola solo. Paganini will take the viola part 
 for the first time in public." It is known from Berlioz' memoirs 
 that Paganini was not satisfied with the first composition which 
 the composer submitted, and Mary Stuart was changed to Harold 
 and played the following year. 
 
 In the beginning of March, without having been heard in 
 Paris during the winter, the virtuoso left for Amiens, Lille, Valen- 
 ciennes and Brussels. 
 
 At Brussels, where he appeared three times, beginning March 
 15th, after having played at the house of Fetis, Paganini encoun- 
 tered one of the rare defeats of his career. Here and there he had 
 met with hostility, but nowhere had there been the indifference 
 shown at the "Theatre de la Monnaie." As soon as he appeared 
 on the stage a burst of laughter greeted him from the audience;
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 45 
 
 this big, black skeleton-like man provoked the mirth of the crowd 
 before he had touched his instrument, and his playing merely 
 increased the boorish hilarity. At Bruges, which then had 33,000 
 inhabitants, a subscription for a concert showed only fourteen 
 signatures. It was therefore better to cross the Channel as soon 
 as possible. In London, a series of ten concert'? drew the crowds 
 as in the preceding years. 
 
 A peculiar incident, of which more than one happened to him 
 in his life, drew attention to Paganini in a scandalous way, on his 
 return to London. He was at Boulogne-sur-IMer in July, when 
 a Mr. Watson, with whom he had boarded while in London, Cal- 
 thorpe Street, Gray's Inn Lane, imagined that he had carried off 
 his daughter and pursued Paganini, whom he joined first at Dover 
 and then at Boulogne. Watson claimed that Paganini had prom- 
 ised to marry his daughter on the continent, with a dowry of 
 £4,000, and that he had given her in London a tiara worth 
 50 guineas, and diamonds estimated at 300 guineas. Paganini re- 
 plied in the Annotatetir of Boulogne, and his letter made the rounds 
 of the entire Parisian press, about March 15th, 1834. Far from 
 having carried off Miss Watson, said he, she had sought refuge with 
 him, having been ill-treated by her father and step-mother; .she 
 had followed him, much against his will, from London to Dover, 
 from Dover to Calais, from Calais to Boulogne. Paganini having 
 proved "not guilty," Watson finally returned to London with his 
 daughter. Meanwhile the musical papers reported that Paganini 
 had invented, some said a contra-viola, others said "a new in- 
 strument, which he was trying in London, and on which he claims 
 to imitate the human voice more nearly than has heretofore been 
 done with any other instrument. "^^^ 
 
 Returning to Paris, Paganini had to (|uict some dissensions 
 of the press. The previous year, the "luirope Litterairc," a paper 
 for which Berlioz wrote, had denounced him violently for having 
 refused to "play even a little air" at the benefit given to Miss 
 Smithson.^2) j^,ies janin attacked him on Sept. 15th of that year, 
 in an article in the Debat, and a week later he returned to the 
 charge with half a dozen columns, an entire editorial: "Paganmi 
 and the sufferers from the flood at .Saint-Lticnne." "Paganini." said 
 
 (1) "Gazette Muslcale," July 6th. 1834; "McnfHtrcl." May 26lh. 
 
 (2) "Feullletons des Dehats." Sept. IBth and 22nd; Figaro." Sept. 22nd 
 Pagrantnl's annwer appeared In "I.e Monltfiir" of the 24fh
 
 46 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 the Figaro of the same date, "has not responded to the direct ap- 
 peal made by J. Janin in a very clever article in the Dcbat. It 
 is an actual fact that the celebrated artist has refused to play for 
 a quarter of an hour, for the benefit of the victims of the flood at 
 Saint-Etienne. Paganini can announce, if he likes, a concert for 
 his own benefit ; no one will attend." It was a cross fire of open 
 attacks and attempts at coercion which seemed to justify, or at 
 least to explain, the reputation for avarice which the artist had. 
 A letter from him replying to the attacks, set these facts straight. 
 The substance of the letter was about as follows : "In two or three 
 months I have given but one concert in France. I am returning to 
 Genoa. I have already given two concerts in Paris for the benefit 
 of the poor."(i) 
 
 (1) "L'Europe Litteraire," April 19th, 1833.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 47 
 
 ETURNING to his country about October, 1834, Paganini 
 selected the Villa Gaiona. near Parma, as his favorite 
 residence among the properties which his immense for- 
 tune had enabled him to acquire. For some time he had 
 been planning important projects of various kinds; first the publi- 
 cation of his works ; during his last stay at London, the Parisian 
 editor, Troupenas, had made him an offer, but Paganini had stipu- 
 lated a price so high that, under the most favorable conditions, the 
 sales of several years would not have covered the sum ; according 
 to Fetis, however, Paganini wanted to be his own publisher, but 
 since he was not yet ready to end his career as a virtuoso entirely. 
 he conceived the queer fancy to arrange his concertos for the piano. 
 Another of his pet schemes was the founding of a conservatory, or 
 rather a school for violin, in which he would teach the "secrets" of 
 his art. 
 
 Meanwhile he gave his countrymen an opportunity to hear 
 him once more. On November 14th he gave a concert at Pla- 
 centia, for the benefit of the poor, and the following month he 
 went to Parma, at the request of Marie Louise; on December 12th 
 he appeared at the court of the ex-empress, and on this occasion 
 she presented him with a ring, bearing the royal crown and his 
 initials in diamonds. She also appointed him Director of the Court 
 Theatre, which prompted Fetis, Reviic Mtisicalc. to remark: "With 
 much regret we see this king of artists stoop to the level of a 
 courtier."(i) Later, on January 3rd. 1836. Marie Louise nia<le liun 
 Chevalier de Saint-Georges. 
 
 lie spent the year 1835 ])artly at Genoa or at Milan, jtartly at 
 his Villa Gaiona. On July 28 Marquis Giancarlo Di Negro, one 
 of his warmest admirers, gave a grand entertainment in honor of 
 Paganini, at his villa on the outskirts of Genoa, which he had named 
 "Earthly Paradise." A marble bust of the arti.st was solemnly un- 
 veiled ; there were poetic and enthusiastic speeches, inspired by 
 his recent triumphs in all Europe. 
 
 About six weeks after this ovation, in which the best Genoese 
 society took part, a report of Pagaiiini's deatii wa>^ circulated m 
 Paris. As in the case of Liszt in 1825, and, ten years later, of 
 
 O) "Revue Musicale." Jan. 25th. IS."?:,.
 
 48 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 Madame Malibran,(i) it was a false report. The cholera raging just 
 then, at Genoa, gave credence to the "sad event." 
 
 On June 9th, he himself gave a charity concert at Turin, in 
 the Carignano Theatre, with the guitarist Luigi Legnani ; and the 
 poet Romani wrote a ballad in his honor. 
 
 A month later he was at Paris, where troubles of a different 
 nature awaited him. Two speculators, Tardif de Petitville and 
 Rousseau-Desmelotries, had planned to open a casino on the Chaus- 
 see d'Antin, just off the Boulevard. "It is the object of the Com- 
 pany," said the prospectus, "to establish a musical and literary 
 centre, under the name of Casino. In this establishment will be 
 concentrated all the pleasure which music, dancing, conversation, 
 reading and promenades can give the Parisian public and the many 
 strangers who flock there, and it will also enable them to enjoy 
 conveniences and privileges of all kinds." 
 
 For the installation of this one might say encyclopediacal es- 
 tablishment, Petitville had bought the residence of La Guinard,(2) 
 which, during the Revolution, had gone over to the financier Perre- 
 gaux, and, after the establishment of the Empire, belonged to Ar- 
 righi, Duke of Padua, and was occupied by the Lafitte Bank. 
 
 In the enormous grounds, which extended almost to the Rue 
 Mathurins, that is, about the entire length of the actual Rue Meyer- 
 beer, a pavilion was erected, of which a lithograph of the times 
 shows us the general aspect. This pavilion, the old salons and the 
 grounds were to constitute the Casino-Paganini, which was opened 
 to the public for the first time on Saturday, November 25th, 1837. 
 Paganini not only owned a large part of the stock in the Casino, 
 to which he, who was usually so cautious, so lightly gave his name, 
 but he was to be heard there and never played. "The state of his 
 health does not permit him as yet to appear before the public." 
 says the Gazette Musicale.(^) Berlioz, in the Chronique de Paris, 
 announcing the approaching opening of the Casino, wrote, on 
 October 8th, 1837, as follows : "The part which the famous vio- 
 linist will personally take in the musical program is to walk about 
 the grounds three times a day, if the weather is fine." 
 
 (1) "The Revue Musicale," of Jan. 25th, 1835, had reported her murdered 
 at Milan. 
 
 (2) This was Chaussfee D'Antin No. 9, the actual location being Meyerbeer 
 street. Escudier gives the numbers 7, 9, and 11. It seems probable, however, 
 that the Casino occupied only the lot numbered 9 or 11 at difterent times. 
 It was afterwards occupied by the offices of the Orleans Company. 
 
 (3) "Gazette Musicale," Dec. 3rd, 1837, p. 529.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY ^g 
 
 The brief existence of the Casino, its principal attraction gone, 
 brought Paganini only law-suits and debts. 
 
 The columns of the Gazette des Tribunaux, on March i6th, 
 show Paganini sued for failure "to play twice weekly in the drawing 
 rooms of the Casino, to the amount of 6,000 francs damages for each 
 non-appearance," and a warrant was issued. 
 
 Paganini immediately appealed. Meanwhile de Petitville and 
 another party named Fleury, formerly an insurance agent, were 
 fined 300 francs for attempting, in November of the preceding 
 year, to bribe the Secretary-General of the Police Department 
 Malleval, and the Chief of Department Simonet. Fleury had sent 
 each of them about ten shares of stock in the Casino, with a view 
 to winning the good will of the administration, who had delayed 
 in granting authority to open the establishment. On March 7th, 
 at the Civil Court, there was some controversy between Petitville 
 and his administrator, Rousseau-Desmelotries. A certain Fuma- 
 galli seized and sold all the furniture, for which Rousseau claimed 
 payment. The workmen claimed 200,000 francs for wages due 
 them. 
 
 Paganini was forced to appear once more as defendant. He 
 explained that only 64 shares had been issued by the managers of 
 the Casino, de Petitville and Fumagalli ; he himself had bought 
 60 of these, for an amount of 60,000 francs. Action was later 
 brought by one of the attorneys to keep the "Paganini Ca.se" out 
 of the Supreme Court, on March 30th. 
 
 The Casino, .still bearing the name of the great artist, became 
 a dance-hall under the next lessee. A singer, Mme. San Felice, who 
 had been engaged by the founders, tried to seize the receipts on 
 the evening of the Mardi-Gras. Finally, on August 31st, Paganini 
 was subpoenaed by Mr. Escudicr (the same who later brought out 
 the France Musicale and wrote two biographies of tin- .irtist). 
 who clainicfl a sum of 2,000 francs for services rendered "as 
 manager of the Maestro's various business undertakings, especially 
 those concerning the defunct Casino. According to M. Coutard, 
 the attorney for Kscudier, Paganini had made hi;n wf-ndcrful |.roni- 
 ises, and afterwards refused to consider the numerous services of 
 his manager as anything but voluntary favors. Nevertheless he 
 had made him an actual offer of 400 francs." Finally the court
 
 50 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 fixed the amount due as 6cx) francs, from which a deduction of 
 486 francs would be made. <-^) 
 
 Of music there was no thought, after the announcement, in 
 June, of a concert which never took place, and a trip to London 
 which was never carried out. The papers mentioned Paganini's 
 name only to narrate his financial misfortunes. Moreover, the 
 artist's health was in a very precarious condition; his larynx was 
 affected so as to make him almost voiceless, and he was taking 
 treatment at an establishment known as "Les Neothermes," in the 
 Rue Victoire, which was very popular at the time. An absurd story 
 was added to the controversy which the founding of the Casino 
 had stirred up. The Gazette Musicale of June 24th published a 
 letter addressed by Paganini to a Mr. Douglas Loveday, father of 
 a young pianiste who had played at the opening concert of the 
 Casino. In this letter, whose "contents and motive" could well 
 look strange to the Gazette, Paganini charged Mr. Loveday with 
 a sum of 26,400 francs, for instruction given his daughter. Six 
 weeks after this publication, Paganini explained the story, and ad- 
 dressing Loveday, he said : 
 
 "Sir, you have chosen to publish a letter which you took seri- 
 ously, and which I wrote to you with the sole aim of showing you 
 how easy it is to cause annoyance to others. My letter was merely 
 a little revenge for the account which you had opened for your 
 
 friend, Mr. Cr , 'the celebrated physician,' as you call him. As 
 
 a matter of fact, in order to let him earn some money at any cost, 
 you have very cleverly transformed into professional visits, a few 
 how-are-you's, which your friend, 'the celebrated physician,' asked 
 me while I lived at your house; a courtesy to which I immediately 
 put an end by closing my door to 'the celebrated physician,' as soon 
 as I noticed that his greetings were becoming serious, and that he 
 was preparing to reinforce them with medical advice which, for the 
 sake of my health, I did not care to follow." ^^^ 
 
 Loveday claimed 37,800 francs for having boarded Paganini 
 during ninety-nine days, and 18,000 francs for piano lessons given 
 by Miss Loveday to Paganini's son. Paganini in his reply ridiculed 
 his adversary's French in a very witty manner, and finally had the 
 laugh on his side. 
 
 Still, all these incidents, which dealt with money and law- 
 
 (1) "Gazette des Tribunaux," Oct. 1st, 1838. 
 
 (2) "Gazette Musicale," June 24th and Aug. 12th, 1838.
 
 I'AdANlNI'S VIOLIN 
 (Municipal MuHeuin ut Uenoii.i
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 51 
 
 suits, only served to confirm the stories of the Maestro's avarice. 
 At this time something occurred which silenced all the ill-natured 
 remarks of the interested and covetous hangers-on of the millionaire 
 artist. On December i6th, Berlioz gave a concert at the Conserva- 
 tory. The composer of the ill-fated "Benvenuto Cellini," which 
 had been ignominiously hissed at the Opera, reappeared at the 
 head of his "old guard," that day. At the close of the concert, 
 when "Harold en Italic," written at his instigation, had been ren- 
 dered, Paganini threw himself at the feet of the young composer 
 and cried, with all the voice which was left him : "He is a wonder!" 
 
 "After the concert," Berlioz writes to his father, "Paganini, 
 this grand and noble artist, came upon the stage and told me that 
 he was so deeply moved and profoundly impressed that he felt like 
 kneeling at my feet ; when I protested against such an exaggerated 
 demonstration, he drew me to the centre of the stage, and there, 
 in the presence of some of the members of my orchestra who had 
 not yet departed, and in spite of my efforts to restrain him, he 
 knelt at my feet, declaring that I had gone farther than Beethoven. 
 
 "And this is not all. Five minutes ago, little Achille, a charm- 
 ing child of twelve, came to see me and gave nic the following 
 letter from his father, with a gift of 20,000 francs." — Merc is 
 the translation of this letter: 
 
 "My dear friend. 
 With Beethoven dead, only Berlioz could make him arise once 
 more, and I, who have heard your divine composition, worthy of 
 a genius such as yours, think it my duty to ask you to accc])t. as 
 a token of homage on my part, the sum of twenty thousand francs, 
 which will be remitted to you by Baron de Rothschild, on presenta- 
 tion of the enclosed. 
 
 "Believe me to be always 
 
 Your afTectionatc friend, 
 
 NicoLo Paganini.""* 
 
 "i am stating the facts, that is all," says Berlioz in his Memoirs. 
 This is the occurrence which astoundcfl the entire press, and was 
 the subject of an editorial by Jules Janin, taking back all the abuse 
 which he had but lately hurled at Paganini. and a letter to lierlioz, 
 which was printed, together with Paganini's, in the Gazette Musi- 
 
 (1) Letter written by Berlioz to his father. "Dec. IRth. 1888." See Italian 
 facsimile.
 
 52 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 cale and later in the Allemeine Musikalische Zeitung of Leipzig, 
 and finally made the round of all Europe. 
 
 This princely gift was the subject of long and frequent dis- 
 cussions during the lifetime of Berlioz. It was said that be- 
 cause Paganini had refused to play in a concert for the benefit 
 of the poor, by the advice of Jules Janin he had made this present 
 to conciliate the public, as he was about to give four concerts him- 
 self ; still, Paganini no longer played in public and there is nothing 
 to prove that he intended doing so ; his chronic ill-health drove him 
 away from Paris continually. According to another version, he 
 was merely acting in the name of a generous patroness of art, an 
 admirer of the composer, who wished to show her appreciation ; 
 the name of Bertin was mentioned, proprietor of the Debats, whose 
 daughter had caused the production of "La Esmeralda" at the 
 Opera, brought out by Berlioz in 1836. Moreover, in his note to 
 Rothschild, giving the order to the cashier, Tuesday, the i8th, to 
 "remit to bearer, M. Hector Berlioz, the 20,000 francs which 
 I deposited with you yesterday," does not this word "yesterday" 
 indicate that during the day of the 17th of July, Jules Janin, Bertin 
 and Paganini had planned the sensation of the following day? 
 Grammatici certant. — Let us add that the first version is by Liszt, 
 whose word it would be difficult to refute, and who had a very good 
 memory besides. The second, which is plausible and more economi- 
 cal for Paganini, was voiced in the very beginning and circulated 
 joyfully by the enemies of the Debats and of Berlioz, who vigor- 
 ously denied it.(i) Be that as it may, these 20,000 francs secured 
 for the composer "three years of rest, light work, liberty and happi- 
 ness" (J. Janin), and enabled him to create another master-piece, 
 "Romeo and Juliet." As to Paganini himself, he explained his 
 generous act in this way : 
 
 "I did it for Berlioz and for myself. For Berlioz, because I 
 saw a young man full of genius, whose strength and courage might 
 have failed in this struggle, in which he was engaged every day 
 against envious mediocrity or indifferent ignorance, and I told 
 myself 'I must come to his aid.' For myself, because in years to 
 come I will be vindicated in this affair, and when my claims to 
 musical glory are counted, it will not be one of the least to have 
 
 (1) See "L'lllustration," March 4th, 1854. July 26th, 1856; "Les Debats," Dec. 
 8th, 1894, and the works of Conestabile, "Paganini"; Ad. JuUien, J. Tiersot and 
 J. G. Prod'homme on Berlioz.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 53 
 
 been the first to recognize a genius, and to have held him up to the 
 admiration of all."(^) 
 
 Thursday following the concert, Berlioz, being able to leave 
 his room, where he had been confined for two days, went to thank 
 his benefactor. "I found him alone in a large room at the Neo- 
 thermes, where he lives," writes Berlioz to his sister that same 
 evening. "You know that since about a year he has completely 
 lost his voice, and without the help of his son it is very difficult 
 to understand him. When he saw me, the tears came to his eyes 
 (I confess that I was very nearly crying myself) ; he wept, this 
 ferocious man-eater, this seducer of women, this escaped convict, 
 as he has so often been called; he wept hot tears as he embraced 
 me. 'Don't mention another word about it,' he said, 'I deserve 
 no credit ; it was the greatest joy, the deepest satisfaction I ever 
 felt in my life; you have caused me emotions of which I never 
 dreamed ; you have gone a step farther in the great art of Beet- 
 hoven.' Then, drying his eyes and hitting the table with a strange 
 little laugh, he began to talk volubly, but as I could not understand 
 him, he went to call his son, to serve as interpreter. With the 
 help of little Achille I understood that he said: 'Oh! I am so 
 glad; I am overjoyed to think that all this vermin who scribbled 
 and talked against you, will not be so bold now because they all 
 realize that I, Paganini, know what I am about — I who have the 
 reputation of being hard to please.' " 
 
 Shortly after this event, which busied the press for several 
 weeks, Paganini left Paris, which he was not to see again, and 
 went to the South, his health demanding a sojourn in a sunny 
 clime. 
 
 He stopped at Marseilles for some time. In a ktlcr from there, 
 dated April 26th, he wrote one of his friends, Aliani, leader of the 
 orchestra at V'inccnzia, regarding his poor health, and asked him 
 to .secure two violins for him. one a Giuseppe Guarncri del Gcsu, 
 the other a Stradivarius.(2 ) During the following month, in corre- 
 spondence addressed to the Monitcur, he said he would have liked 
 to have taken part in the benefit given to the sufferers at Mar- 
 tinique. (•'; In July, he passed through Montpellicr. coming from 
 the Baths at Balaruc; "it seems he must be continually under way," 
 
 (1) "Journal de Parl.-^." Jan. 18th. IS.-.O. nn article by Anjc. Morel. 
 
 (2) From an autoKraph (?lvpn by M. Charavay. 
 
 (3) ■•Monlteur," May 22nd. 1839, letter of the 16th.
 
 54 NICOLO PAGAN INI 
 
 writes a correspondent to the Moniteur.C^) '"The celebrated artist 
 absolutely refuses to comply with the importunities of the fore- 
 most amateurs of our town, to give a concert. This refusal is 
 based on the strict injunctions of the medical faculty." Paganini, 
 as a matter of fact, was never again heard in public. However, 
 at Marseilles he consented to play in some Beethoven quartets, 
 among friends, but that was all. 
 
 On August 22nd, 1839, the same paper announced his arrival 
 at Vernet-les-Bains, accompanied by Dr. Lallemand. "Paganini is 
 nothing but a shadow, he is so emaciated ; he has lost his voice 
 and only his glowing eyes and angular gestures speak for him. 
 His violin, which led him to fame and glory, was taken from the 
 carriage with him. The patient is to take the baths at the Elisa 
 Spring at 22 degrees heat." (2) 
 
 It is doubtful if these stops at the various watering-places in the 
 Pyrenees benefited him. Returning to Marseilles, toward the end 
 of September, it seems that no improvement was noticeable in his 
 condition. (^) About this time he wrote a last letter "before leaving 
 France," {■*) to Dr. Lallemand. The first of October he was at 
 Genoa; he had a nervous attack soon after his arrival which gave 
 much concern to his "numerous friends." (^) With the approach of 
 winter, Paganini returned to Nice. "I see M. Paganini here nearly 
 every day," writes a correspondent of the Gazette Musicale, on 
 January nth. "The decision of the courts in the Casino affair 
 has not put him in a very good humor. (^) However, he is still 
 quite vigorous and I often hear him playing, all alone, using the 
 sourdine. He always speaks of a new method for the violin, which 
 he intends to publish, and which would simplify the study a great 
 deal, as far as technique goes, and would ensure more perfect in- 
 tonation to those using it. Well, it is up to the publishers now 
 to discover his secrets, and I think it would be well worth while." C^) 
 
 (1) "Moniteur," July 2Sth, 1839. 
 
 (2) "Moniteur," Augu.st 22nd, 1839. 
 
 (3) Moniteur," October 11th, 1839. 
 
 (4) "Autograph Catalog XXVII," Halle, Munich, 1906; the date of this 
 letter is erroneously given as August 29th, 1839. 
 
 (5) "Moniteur," October 21st, 1839. 
 
 (6) "Paganini had been sentenced to pay damages amounting to 20,000 
 francs for failure to carry out the contract which he had signed to give a 
 certain number of concerts at the Casino, which bore his name. To-day, 
 however, on appeal by the creditors of the Casino managers, the higher court 
 increased the fine to 50,000 francs and lengthened the habeas corpus period 
 to ten years." ("Gazette Musicale," Jan. 5th, 1840, p. 27-28.) 
 
 (7) "Gazette Mu.sicale," Jan. 23rd, 1840, p. 68.
 
 TllK I'AGANINI CASINO A'l' I'AKIS, CHAlJSKi: UAMlN (i837) 
 (LithoKraph by G. Laviron.) 
 
 I
 
 A BIOGRAPHY ^^ 
 
 The next occasion when the Gazette, which published this corre- 
 spondence, printed Paganini's name, was to announce his death, 
 
 "Paganini died at Nice, May 27th, 1840, leaving a great name 
 and a large fortune to his only son, a young and handsome boy of 
 fourteen years. His body has been embalmed and will be sent 
 to his birthplace, Genoa. We hope that the report of his death 
 will happily prove, like so many before this, a false one."(i ) 
 
 This time the report proved true, and it was Liszt who under- 
 took to write for the readers of the Gazette Mnsicale, the funeral 
 oration of the great artist, whose disciple he was, with countless 
 others. 
 
 "May the artist of the future renounce with all his heart," con- 
 cluded Liszt, "the vain and self-worshipful manner of which Paga- 
 nini was, we believe, a last and shining example; let him see his 
 goal, not in himself but far beyond ; let the mastery of his art be 
 a means — not an end ; let him always remember that not only 
 'noblesse,' but even more so : 
 
 'Genie Oblige,' 
 
 V. Liszi.'"(-) 
 
 When on June ist, 1840, Paganini's will, dated April 271)1, 1837, 
 was opened, it was found that his fortune amounted to 1,700,000 
 francs, partly in real estate and partly in government bonds of 
 I'Vance, England and the two Sicilies. Among the Ixiicficiaric.s 
 were his older sister, who received an income of 75,000 francs; 
 his younger sister one of 50,000 francs ; a lady living at Lucca re- 
 ceived an annuity of 6.200 francs; the mother of his son, Antonia 
 P>ianchi, one of 1,200 francs. Achillc Paganini was his sole heir. 
 Marquis Lorenzo Parento, his tutor, Giambattista Giordani, Laz- 
 zaro Rebizzo and Pietro Torrigliani, of Genoa, were named as hi- 
 executors. A little later the Gacetfe Mnsicale, of Paris, came out 
 with "one of the fantastic reports for which Paganini so often 
 furnished the pretext" and which is repeated "merely to compli-tc 
 the round of absurdities. It is said that Paganini left his eight 
 violins to eight violinists of the first rank, >aicl to be Bcriot, Ernst, 
 Lipinski, May seder, Moliquc, Die Bull, .Spojir an<l Viciixtenips."(3) 
 
 However, Paganini's history did not cease with his death, and 
 
 (1) "Gazftte MuKlc.ile," Jurif "th. MiiO. p. ?.:\i. 
 
 (2) "Oazftte MuHlral*-," Auk. 2?,rf1, p. 4?A-r.;'2: About pHRJinlnl nn lli«- ocoi- 
 slon of his death. 
 
 (3) "Gazette Mu.slcnle," ()c\(,\i(r 2.'.th. is^fi, p. BOO.
 
 55 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 it seemed as if fate had decreed that everything about this man 
 should be strange and fantastic, for the great Genoese artist was 
 doomed to post-mortem tribulations which did not end until 1896, 
 more than half a century after his death. 
 
 This posthumus history of Paganini, like his earthly existence, 
 caused numerous and frequent discussions by the press; the earlier 
 ones are dated about 1854, and the most recent in 1905. 
 
 Paganini having died at Nice, his son naturally wished to have 
 his father's body taken to Genoa. A letter dated from Nice, June 
 5th, to the Moniteur, stated that the final resting place for Paga- 
 nini's remains had not yet been decided upon.(i) The trouble 
 was actually begun on the day following his demise, by the Bishop 
 of Nice, and a contemporary paper, the Journal Historique et 
 Litteraire, of Liege, speaks of it as follows: 
 
 "Paganini died at Nice last year; he was noted for the laxity 
 of his morals and for his irreligion. Not only had he ignored his 
 duties to the Church, but he had refused the holy sacraments on 
 his death bed. These facts caused the Bishop of Nice to refuse 
 him a resting place in consecrated ground. Upon the protestations 
 of Paganini's executors, the prelate inaugurated an investigation, 
 whereupon the refusal of a consecrated grave was confirmed by 
 sentence. The executors persisted, and carried the matter to his 
 Eminence the Cardinal-Archbishop of Genoa, who last August, 
 fully corroborated the decision of the Bishop of Nice. Paginini's 
 body, after having rested a long time, embalmed and open to view, 
 in his apartment, was, by order of the Government, consigned to 
 the cellar, and from there to the pest-house at Villefranche, on 
 account of the fetid odors it exhaled. It will now be interred 
 outside of the cemetery, and Paganini's name will be crossed from 
 the Church register, where a marginal note indicates the cause of 
 the erasure." (^) 
 
 The facts are, that Paganini, "brutally called upon to make a 
 last confession, answered that he did not think himself so near 
 death as yet to require spiritual aid, but that when the time came 
 he would not fail in this supreme duty." (2) Christian burial having 
 been refused, in spite of the efforts of Count de Cessole, Count de 
 Maistre, then Governor of the province, and of Achille Paganini, 
 
 (1) "Moniteur Universel," June 16th, 1840, p. 1436. 
 
 (2) "Journal Historique et Litteraire," December 1st, 1841. 
 
 (3) "L'lllustration," March, 1854, article by Frederic Lacroix.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 57 
 
 the body was embalmed and exhibited on a platform before which 
 the curious defiled ; the head had been dressed in rather a grotesque 
 fashion, with a high stock over which was an enormous tie; he 
 wore a kind of cotton cap trimmed with blue ribbons, ending in 
 a huge rosette, as is shown by a lithograph of the times. After 
 a few days, when the body was put into a coffin, a glass had to be 
 inserted, leaving the face open to view, to satisfy the curiosity of 
 the tourists who flocked to Nice. The public continued to crowd 
 for a glimpse of the great dead, until the Church gave orders to 
 have the body removed, and it was taken to the pest-house at Ville- 
 franche a la pointe de Saint-Hospice ;(i) this transfer was made at 
 night under military escort. At this time a Jewish broker offered 
 Count de Cessole about 30,000 francs for permission to take the 
 body to England and exhibit it there. 
 
 Another version is that the body was taken by boat from the 
 hospital at Nice to that of Genoa, but as the vessel was refused en- 
 try at the port of Genoa, on account of the epidemic of cholera 
 which had just broken out at Marseilles, it went to anchor at the 
 Lerins Islands. The captain of this ship had Paganini's coffin 
 landed on the islet of Saint-Ferreol, where it was interred. Six 
 years later, another vessel landed there to get the remains of Paga- 
 nini and take them to Italy. It is said that an open grave in the 
 centre of the islet Saint-Ferreol still marks the place where Paga- 
 nini was buried, as it had never been filled in. The amateur fisher- 
 men who frequent these latitudes say that the excavation in the 
 middle of the island is universally known, for short, as Paganini's 
 ditch. (2) 
 
 This legend seems rather improbable, although it emanates from 
 a reliable source. If we go by the account of L' Illustration, pub- 
 lished some ten or twelve years after the events themselves, and 
 confirmed by a contemporary, one of the sailors on the ship,(3) 
 Paganini's body was removed from the pest-house at Villefranche 
 during the night of August 15th, 1843, and not in 1846, to W trans- 
 ported to Genoa in a sailing barque. 
 
 Nevertheless, Achille Paganini continued his efforts to have his 
 father's remains buried in consecrated ground. In October. 1841, 
 
 (1) some have confused the name of Salnt-HoHplrc wltl. tl.e h.mi.ltal at 
 
 Nico. 
 
 (2) "Int.rmf-diaire de» Chercheurs," June 10th. 1905. col. R71. 
 
 (3) Id., April 30th, 1905. col. 645-646.
 
 58 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 he arrived at Rome with a lawyer, to obtain a recall from the Pope 
 
 of the decision handed down by the Archbishop of Genoa. (i) The 
 Pope annulled the episcopal decision, and ordered an inquiry by 
 the Archbishop of Turin and two clerical Genoese, as to the Catholic 
 sentiments of the deceased. The result of this inquiry seems never 
 to have been made public. Thereupon, during the night of August 
 15th, 1843 — in May, 1844, according to others, — a man bearing a 
 paper signed by the Gk>vernor of the province, and accompanied by 
 two boatmen and two porters, came to the pest-house at Villef ranche. 
 The coffin was removed and put on board a vessel which sailed 
 to Genoa, making stops at Bordighera, San Remo, Port-Maurice, 
 Savone, etc. The body was taken to the villa Polevra, one of Paga- 
 nini's possessions near Genoa, where the Pope authorized a pro- 
 visory burial. Again it was exhumed in 1853, whereupon the re- 
 mains were transported to his villa Gaiona, in the Duchy of Parma. 
 Achille Paganini then had a simple religious service held in memory 
 of his father, who was a knight of Saint-Georges, in the church of 
 la Steccata, which belonged to this order of knighthood. Finally, 
 in 1876, the third exhumation took place from the villa Gaiona, 
 followed by re-interment in the cemetery at Parma. But here again 
 Paganini was not to find untroubled rest, for in 1893 his coffin was 
 opened once more in the presence of his son and the Hungarian 
 violinist, Ondriczek; and three years later, in August, 1896, a 
 last exhumation was necessary owing to the laying out of a new 
 cemetery at Parma. Was this indeed the last? It is to be hoped, 
 though we can not be sure, for it seems as though a pitiless fate de- 
 nied earthly rest, though well deserved, to him who had been Paga- 
 nini. 
 
 (1) "Gazette Musicale," November 7th, 1841, letter from Rome, October 12th,
 
 A BIOGRAPHY ^g 
 
 VI. 
 
 AGANINI wrote about fifty compositions, according to the 
 catalogue compiled by Conestabile. about ten years after 
 the death of the great artist. However, only a few of 
 these are extant. (i) 
 
 All violinists know the importance of the twenty-four Caprices, 
 some of which were transcribed for piano by Liszt and Schu- 
 mann. (2) No. I is an etude in arpeggios (Locatelli's Caprices be- 
 gin in the same way.) In this Paganini modulates frequently, 
 as in almost all his etudes. Several passages ( for instance, measures 
 14, 15, 16, 25, 26, etc., p. 2, edition Peters) show that Paganmi was 
 a guitar player, as the groups of chords which he uses are charac- 
 teristic of that instrument. 
 
 Guhr says that Paganini played full, clear arpeggios, using less 
 than half of his bow for their execution. 
 
 No. 2 is characterized by groups of thirds, sixths and tenths, 
 and wide intervals, necessitating quick changes from string to string. 
 
 We know how boldly Paganini modulated, for his times. In 
 the presto of No. 3 some of these modulations are to be found, 
 which were then considered to be very audacious. 
 
 Guhr states that in No. 7 Paganini played all the staccato pas- 
 sages in letting the bow dance on the strings with a rebound ; he 
 always played his staccato with the middle of the bow, rarely be- 
 ginning with the tip, as other great masters did. 
 
 In No. 8 there are innumerable difficulties of intonation. 
 
 The original rhythm of the presto in No. 1 1 nuist be mentioned, 
 the first half of the measure 2-4 often consisting of .syncopa- 
 tions and the other half of triplets. 
 
 This presto is not included in the transcription by Schumann, 
 who considered it unsuitable for the piano and perhaps just a little 
 vulgar. 
 
 In No. 15 the melody, in octaves, serves as a theme for a varia- 
 tion in broken chords, as it might be written for the piano. 
 
 (1) Sco list of pompoHltlonB. 
 
 (J) S.lmm.mn i.iihIlHh<<l. In IS.'!.'! .-m.l 1S.35. In two voMimoH. I w.-iit v-fnnr 
 transcriptions of the Caprices by PaRnnlnl; nl«o h\x Ktufl.-« rto Concort. nftor 
 the Caprlrea by Pn^anlnl. Op 10. "The BravoiirBtn.llon Nnoh rnKanlnl> 
 Caprlcen flJr das Pianoforte bearbeltet." by lAmt, appeared In 184>. Bee 
 Srhumnnn's "Gesammeltn Rchrlftf-n,- edition Rrklnm, II. p. 11 12. and III. 
 p. 98-100. The French violinist, Plerro Hode. hnd already written twenty-four 
 Caprices In the form of etudes.
 
 50 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 No. 24 contains in one of its variations an example of a re- 
 markable manner of employing the pizzicato. 
 
 "It is certainly strange that the characteristic effect, which in 
 part made Paganini's great success, his harmonics, does not appear 
 in these Caprices."(i) 
 
 Paganini's most important concert pieces are beyond doubt his 
 concertos. There were eight of these; besides the four for which 
 he wrote the orchestra parts, two only remain, which were published 
 by Schonenberger, at Paris, in 185 1, one in E flat (D),(2) and 
 one in B minor, op. 6 and 7. 
 
 His variations are no less celebrated ; the same publisher brought 
 out the variations on "Di tanti palpiti" (Tancrede), "Non piu 
 mesta" (Cenerentola), "God save the King" (or "Heil Dir im 
 Siegerkranz"), the "Carnaval de Venise" ("Oh! Mamma!") as well 
 as the "Moto perpetuo," which comprises 3,040 sixteenth notes 
 without a pause. 
 
 Before the time when Schonenberger undertook to publish Paga- 
 nini's works, his Caprices, op. i ; Sei Sonate, op. 2 ; Sei Sonate, 
 op. 3; Tre gran Ouartetti, op. 4; and Tre gran Quartetti, op. 5, 
 were the only ones which had been printed. 
 
 "Paganini's compositions have great merit," says Fetis, 
 "novelty of ideas, elegant form, rich harmonies, and variety of 
 effects in instrumentation. These qualities are particularly notice- 
 able in his concertos. These concertos influenced, in a measure, 
 what was written later in this line. Their form differs in a num- 
 ber of points from the classic form of Viotti's concerto. We 
 find the merit of unity and a growing interest which deserves con- 
 sideration by other violin composers. 
 
 "In general, without detracting the attention from the solo part 
 by too much complicated work, the instrumentation still has enough 
 of interest to combine agreeably with the principal theme, and the 
 attacks are not forced and conventional ; in short, the effects are new 
 and varied." 
 
 The first concerto, in E flat, of which the violin solo is written 
 in D, is more like the old concertos. "I think I remember," says 
 Fetis, "that he wrote it in 181 1." It contains little that is new; 
 
 (1) C. Witting, "Geschichte des Violinsplels," p. 43-49. 
 
 (2) Paganini wrote the accompaniment for orchestra in E flat, and the 
 violin part in D, the solo instrument being tuned half a tone higher than 
 ordinarily.
 
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 A BIOGRAPHY ^^ 
 
 the details, however, stamp this work as one of the highest interest. 
 Paganini therein employs the fourth string in the second solo. 
 
 The Adagio (C minor) is a dialogue between the fourth string 
 and the three others. The Rondo, with its bounding staccato, is 
 original. It is noticeable also for the passages in tenths, for the 
 first time used in various combinations, whereby Paganini obtained 
 remarkable effects, through the marvelous accuracy of his execu- 
 tion. 
 
 The second concerto, in B minor, begins with a broad, passionate 
 movement; the harmonies are often interesting in their sequence, 
 the instrumentation is bright and effective. The tutti are little de- 
 veloped, and merely serve to join the different soli. The phrase 
 at the beginning of the first solo is grand and broadly treated. 
 
 In this Paganini shows great boldness of conception, by the diffi- 
 culties it involves in bowing and also for the left hand. There is a 
 double trill, descending in thirds, which showed the artist's in- 
 comparable execution, his brilliancy as well as his absolutely fault- 
 less intonation. The theme of the second solo is entirely different 
 from the first; the melody is expressive and mingled with staccato 
 effects to which Paganini gave an individual character. The pas- 
 sage following this theme is entirely in double chords and very 
 effective ; these combinations were of the greatest difficulty, but the 
 wonderful artist rendered them as so much child's play.(^) 
 
 The Adagio (in D) is a cantabile of the highest order. Being 
 more simple than his other compositions, it was not very effective, 
 because in Paganini one always looked for tlie sensational ; neverthe- 
 less the form of the themes is noble, expressive and full of charm. 
 The instrumentation is in very good taste. The Rondo, with obli- 
 gato accompaniment of bells, is a delightful phantasy which com- 
 prises the most incredible flifficulties in comhiiiatioiis of the most 
 exquisite taste. The principal motive is remarkably elegant. Every- 
 thing about this composition is new, as well in detail as in the general 
 outline. 
 
 The Allegro of the .sonata for violin and orche.stra, entitled Moto 
 
 (1) "In all his early compoHltlons," says Fotla. "the paxsagea In double 
 chords anfl with a boundlnK how are new Jinfl not In thi- iimiihI form of con- 
 rertos. ragiinini'H px<-<'iition wjih ri-miirkiihh' In two pulnlH; (Irnt, lh«- abBoliitc 
 trurnc-^s of tone in th<- donhlf rlinrds, thf .«t\imhllnK blork of tho monl nklllfnl 
 violinists, especially In the rapid passages, and wcond. the marvcIlouH nrcurncy 
 with which his bow hit.f the strings, no matter how grrnt tho IntorvalH. Thin 
 evidence of his talent alone would tend to show hlR prrdcstlnatlon for his 
 career, iind a lif<--time of .'-•ludy."
 
 62 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 Perpetuo, is only noticeable as a study for bowing, having a very 
 rapid movement without pause to the last measure. This kind of 
 difficulty requires a wonderfully strong and flexible wrist, that will 
 not tire before the end, and perfect unison of the left hand and the 
 bow. This work as a composition is of no importance, but as an 
 etude it is interesting. 
 
 The introduction to the "Streghe" is brief; the first variation, 
 all in double and triple chords, is very difficult; it is an excellent 
 study for correct intonation. The second is a mixture of harmonics 
 and pizzicati, resulting in original effects. The third is a dialogue 
 between the fourth string and double harmonic sounds, "a novelty 
 which always met with applause from the public." The finale which 
 follows this variation ends with rapid passages on the fourth string, 
 and harmonics of the utmost difficulty. 
 
 The "God Save the King" includes all the new effects discovered 
 by Paganini. The theme is written in three and four parts ; the 
 bow sounds the melody and the accompanying parts are picked. 
 The first variation, all in double chords, is a sequence of thirds 
 and tenths. Paganini played it very quickly and lightly, which 
 added to the difficulties. The second variation is in rapid triplets 
 mingled with passages in double chords and a bounding staccato. 
 In the third the canto is sustained by a very slow movement while 
 the accompaniment indulges in a veritable fireworks of brilliancy 
 on the third and fourth strings. The fourth consists of rapid 
 runs of picked notes in the upper register, while the accompaniment 
 is played staccato on the lower strings, with the bow. The fifth 
 variation, written in double chords, has an echo effect, an octave 
 higher ; the bass is picked on the low strings. Finally, the sixth and 
 last is all in bounding staccato arpeggios, which are extremely diffi- 
 cult to play on account of the complicated positions of the left hand. 
 
 The variations on "Di tanti palpiti" are written in B flat; the solo 
 part is written in A, the violin being tuned to B. In the second 
 variation the fourth string is lowered to low B flat. Paganini 
 made this change of tuning with such skill and nicety that none 
 noticed it in his concerts.^^> The introduction to this composition 
 is a larghetto followed by a recitatif. The theme is played simply, 
 without any combination of effects. In the second variation the 
 passages in double chords present great difficulties in bowing; the 
 
 (1) We have already reported the different opinion held by Guhr.
 
 A BIOGRAPHY ^3 
 
 third is the strangest and the most difficult with its sequences of 
 thirds in harmonics, which bring out the theme in runs and ar- 
 peggios. 
 
 In the variation on "la Cenerentola" (Non piu mesta), in E flat, 
 the solo violin is tuned as before, and is played in D, the same as 
 in the first concerto. The second variation recalls efltects already 
 used in the other works of the master. The third, in minor, is 
 almost entirely written in octaves. The fourth is an echo, the echo 
 effect being produced by double harmonics. It is followed by a 
 finale in thirds and octaves, which is very difficult to perform. 
 
 The twenty variations on the "Carnival of Venice," on the 
 popular song "Oh! Mamma!" are partly not in the very best taste. 
 Those on the "Air de Barucaba" each represent a special etude for 
 the various kinds of bowing. They are nearly all in different keys. 
 
 This is a brief resume by Fetis,(^) written about half a century 
 ago. when the celebrated musical writer presented the French public 
 with an edition of Paganini's works. To-day, no doubt, since violin 
 technique has made more progress, thanks chiefly to the great 
 Genoese artist, the wonderment of our fathers at these composi- 
 tions would seem uncalled for. Besides, musical taste has become 
 more serious, and we see nothing but show pieces in compositions 
 which, in their time, excited much admiration and enthusiasm. 
 Nevertheless it must be acknowledged that I'aganini. whose works 
 are far more numerous than those that are, so far, known to us 
 under his name, was not only a great virtuoso, but also a composer 
 whose style, if not superior to that of his Italian contemporaries, 
 was certainly not inferior, especially in regard to orchestration. 
 
 Paganini did not actually found a school; wc know of only one 
 pupil who studied under him, Camillo Sivori, a Genoese like him- 
 .self, who followed his methods nearly to the present day. 
 
 n) F^tls, PfiRnnlni (Ptirl?, S<'h<>n<nl>.iu:or, IS.'.D.
 
 54 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 COMPOSITIONS OF PAGANINI. 
 
 Conestabile was the first to compile a list of Paganini's works, 
 
 as follows: 
 
 1. Four concertos for violin, with accompaniment. 
 
 2. Four concertos for which the orchestral parts were never 
 
 written ; the last was composed by Paganini shortly before 
 his death. 
 
 3. V^ariations on a comic theme, carried on by the orchestra. 
 
 4. Sonata for viola and orchestra. 
 
 5. "God Save the King," with variations, for violin and or- 
 
 chestra. 
 
 6. "Le Streghe," variations for violin, with orchestra. 
 
 7. Variations on "Non piu mesta," from "la Cenerentola." 
 
 8. "Grande Sonate Sentimentale." 
 
 9. Sonata with variations. 
 
 10. "La Primavera," Sonate without accompaniment. 
 
 11. Warsaw — Sonata. 
 
 12. "La ci darem la mano," — variations on an air by Mozart 
 
 ("Don Juan"). 
 
 13. The Carneval of Venice. 
 
 14. Variations on "Di tanti palpiti" (Rossini). 
 
 15. Marie-Louise, Sonata. 
 
 16. Romance (Song). 
 
 17. Cantabile, for violin and piano. 
 
 18. Polonaise, with variations. 
 
 19. Vocal Phantasy. 
 
 20. Sonata for violin solo. 
 
 21. Six quartets for violin, viola, 'cello and guitar (op. 4 and 5, 
 
 entitled "Gran quartetti a violino, viola, chitara and violon- 
 cello"). 
 
 22. Cantabile and Waltz. 
 
 23. Three duets for violin and 'cello. 
 
 24. Other duets and little pieces for violin and guitar.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 A BIOGRAPHY 55 
 
 The following works only are complete and have been published : 
 
 The twenty-four ''Caprices" (op. i), not mentioned in the fore- 
 going list; two Concertos, in E flat (D major) and in B minor (op. 
 6 and 7) ; — in the latter is the famous "Clochette," or Campanella; 
 twelve sonatas, for violin and guitar (op. 2 and 3) ; six Quar- 
 tets (op. 4 and 5) ; an Allegro de Sonate, with orchestra, called 
 "Movimento Perpetuo" (op. 11); "Le Streghe." with orchestra 
 (op. 8) ; "God Save the King," with variations, for orchestra 
 (op. 9); "Di tanti palpiti," with orchestra (op. 13); "Non piu 
 mesta," with orchestra (op. 12) ; "The Carneval of Venice," 
 twenty variations on a Venetian popular song: "Oh! Mamma!" 
 (op. 10). 
 
 Sixty variations in every key, in three suites, with piano or 
 guitar accompaniment, on the air "Barucaba." This is one of 
 Paganini's latest compositions, which was written at Genoa in 1835, 
 and was dedicated to the attorney, L. G. Germi.
 
 66 
 
 NICOLO PAGANINI 
 
 BIBLIOGRAPHY. 
 
 Anders. — "Paganini" (Paris, 1831). 
 
 Anonymous. — "Biographic von Nicolo Paganini" (Zurich, 1846). 
 
 Anonymous. — "Paganini, Variations poetiques" (Lyon, 1831). 
 
 O. Bruni. — "Niccolo Paganini cclebre violinista genovese" (Firenzc, 
 
 1873)- 
 G. Conestabile. — "Vita di Niccolo Paganini" (Perugia, 1851). 
 
 Escudier. — "Mes Souvenirs. Les Virtuoses" (Paris, 1868). 
 Vie et aventures des Cantatrices celebres, suivies de la 
 vie anecdotique de Paganini (Paris, 1856). 
 
 Fayollc— "Paganini et Beriot" (Paris, 1831). 
 
 Fetis. — "Notice Biographique sur Nicolo Paganini" (Paris, 1851). 
 
 G. G. Paganini. — (Roma, 1840). 
 
 Gervasoni. — "Nouva teoria di musica" (Milan, 1812). 
 
 Guhr. — "L'Art de jouer du violin de Paganini" (Paris, Schott, 1831). 
 "Paganini a Francfort en 1839." — article copied in the 
 Mittheilungen, von C. F. Schmidt (Heilbronn, January, 
 1901). 
 
 George Harrys. — "Paganini in seinem Reisewagen und Zimmer"; 
 in seinen redseligen vStuden, in gesellschaftlichen Zirkeln 
 und seinen Conzerten. Aus dem Reisejournal (Braun- 
 schweig, 1830). 
 
 Adolph Kohut. — "Aus dem Zauberlande Polyhymnia's, Neues iiber 
 
 Paganini" (Berlin, 1812). 
 Imbert de Laphaleque. — "Notice sur Nicolo Paganini" (Paris, 1830). 
 Gustav Nicolai. — "Arabesken fur Musikfreunde" (Leipzig, 1835). 
 A. Niggli.— "Nicolo Paganini," Musikal Vortrage, of Waldersee, 
 
 Nos. 44-45 (Leipzig, 1892). 
 Alfredo MandeUi.— "Carlo Bignamie Nicolo Paganini" (Milano, 
 
 1893)- 
 E. Ortlepp. — "Grosses Instrumental und Vocalconcert." Eine 
 
 musikalische Anthologie (Stuttgart, 1841). 
 
 Elisa Polko.— "Paganini und die Geigenbauer" (Leipzig, 1875).
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 67 
 
 Maximilian Julius Schottky. — "Paganini's Leben und Treiben als 
 Kiinstler und Mensch" (Prag, J. G. Calve, 1830). 
 
 F. C. J. Schutz. — "Leben, Character und Kunst des Ritters Nicolo 
 Paganini" (Leipzig, 1830). 
 
 C. Witting. — "Geschichte des Violinspiels" (vom Ende's Verlag, 
 Leipzig vers igoo). 
 
 J. W. Wasielewski. — "Die Violine und ihre Meister" (3rd edition, 
 1893)- 
 
 Paganini was represented on the stage in Paris at least twice ; in 
 "an up-to-date occurrence in one act, with songs and music," by De- 
 vergers and Varin, entitled "Paganini en Allemangne," at the Nou- 
 veautes, April loth, 1831 ; and in "Rossini's Room," an Italian 
 -ketch, by Merle and Simonnin, at the Varietes, February, 1834. In 
 the latter play the actor Lherie took the part of the great virtuoso.
 
 pa(;anini im.ayino on ins stkaijivakius viorjN 
 
 From a water-color by Peteilet entitUd 'The Violin of Creinonn. 
 (From the collection of A. Morel d'Arhux )
 
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