Paganini 24: Caprices
Deutsche Grammonphon, 2025
9/10
Listen to Paganini 24: Caprices
The esteemed violinist María Dueñas fleshes out Paganini’s remarkable 24 Caprices, plus additional works by Berlioz, Cervelló, Kreisler, Saint-Saëns, Sarasate and Wieniawski across these 2 discs.
The first disc belongs to “24 Caprices for Solo Violin, op. 1, nos. 1-20”, where Dueñas’ playing is stunning, intricate and is capable of quick flashes as well as soft beauty that radiates much heartfelt song craft.
Disc 2 leads with “24 Caprices for Solo Violin, op. 1, nos. 21-24”, where a gentle climate unfolds with poeticism but ends up in rich, dynamic areas thanks to Dueñas’ agile fingers.
Further into the back half, “Sarasate: Caprice basque, Op. 24” welcomes firm and upbeat keys from Itamar Golan that suit the bright strings, while “Berlioz: Rêverie et caprice, op. 8” recruits the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and Mihhail Gerts for the rich and layered album highlight that emits melodic and soaring gestures.
“Saint-Saëns: Introduction et rondo capriccioso, Op. 28” exits the record, and it’s an emotional 10 minutes of precise violin that builds into a cathartic finish.
A highly technical effort that embraces solo, chamber and orchestral settings, there’s a lot of color and intimacy to be absorbed via Dueñas’ inestimable playing.
Travels well with: Alice Sara Ott- John Field: Complete Nocturnes; Seong-Jin Cho- Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works