Whispers of Paganini’s shady personal life, alcoholism, and ghoulish appearance perpetuated such rumours: there were even stories that he used the intestines of a murdered woman as his violin strings, imprisoned her soul in the instrument, and her screams could be heard when he performed. Such was the level and intensity of his skill that rumours of supernatural influences and black magical powers plagued his career. He transcended the boundaries of what was thought to be technically possible, pouring innovations and imagination into his own compositions, which became his means to dazzle audiences and show off his technical prowess. Legend has it that the fiery fiddler could play a staggering 12 notes per second, with hands so large and lithe he could cover 3 octaves at a time. His teachers frequently passed him around, believing they had nothing left to teach the young prodigy indeed, young Paganini was touring Europe by the age of 15. He was a violin virtuoso of supreme, unmatched talent and technical ability, the likes of which had not yet been seen in the late eighteenth century. Niccolò Paganini (27 October 1782 – ) is perhaps the most elusive and intriguing character in Western music.
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