NICCOLO PAGANINI - The Devil’s Violinist

Niccolò Paganini, born October 27, 1782, was and still is considered by many the greatest violin virtuosi to have ever lived. While the 19th century saw several extraordinary violinists, the Italian Paganini was so beyond his peers that it was rumored by his contemporaries that he had sold his soul to the devil.

Paganini first learned to play the mandolin from his father at the age of five before moving on to the violin. He began composing at seven and, by the age of 12, he was performing publicly. At the age of sixteen, Paganini had a breakdown of sorts and disappeared into alcoholism. Eventually, with the aid of an unnamed female benefactor, he managed to quit drinking. Once sober, he sequestered himself away for three years and studied the violin obsessively. When he returned to the public eye at the age of 22, he became the first music superstar.

Paganini was capable of playing three octaves across four strings in a hand span, a nearly impossible feat, even by today’s standards. His flexibility and exceptionally long fingers have resulted in speculation that he may have had Marfan syndrome, a genetic mutation not identified until 1899 that results in elongated fingers and other unique traits. Others have conjectured that he had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, commonly know as Rubber Man Syndrome, and still other attribute his abilities to his instrument – dubbed The Cannon.

In the early 1830’s Paganini’s health began to rapidly deteriorate. But 1834 he was no longer had the stamina to play his violin and he retired from public performance. The great violinist to ever live died in Nice on May 27, 1840.

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RELATED ATTRACTIONS

Michael Ivnitsky on May 8th, 2007 at 5:57 pm

“In the early 1830’s Paganini’s health began to rapidly deteriorate. But 1934 he was no longer had the stamina to play his violin and he retired from public performance. The great violinist to ever live died in Nice on May 27, 1840.”

I think you mean 1834.
Love yur blog!
J. Tithonus Pednaud on May 8th, 2007 at 6:00 pm

Right you are. Thank you for the edit.
D on May 9th, 2007 at 9:29 pm

Paganini had an interesting relationship with the composer Berlioz. After snubbing him, he ended up giving Berlioz 20,000 francs, as an act of admiration. This money allowed Berlioz to do some of his best work.
kdog on October 15th, 2007 at 1:17 am

He Also had a huge influence on the then 21 year old Franz Listz who attended one of Paganini’s concerts.
E on December 4th, 2007 at 9:41 am

…. and yet I’m STILL trying to play even ONE of the 24 Caprices. Maybe I should write it off to being born with subspectacular (yes, I did make that word up) hands. How sad.

I wonder what Itzhak Perlman’s excuse is? I mean… other than having polio as a kid and his parents having him do violin lessons instead of sports?

Anyway, 10,000+ points for putting my dear friend Paganini in here. Made my night.

- Elizabeth
Jojo T Klowne on January 21st, 2010 at 6:01 pm

The Devil’ violinist kicks ASS!!!
TheDevilViolinist on May 17th, 2010 at 7:32 am

yeah that’s cool stuff.. did you know? he’s my idol…
C on July 23rd, 2010 at 12:22 pm

legend has it that after paganini made a pack w. the devil,
he was only able to perform w. one violin.