Paganini thought that the challenge of its viola solo was too slight, however, and he never played itPaganini's romantic personality and adventures created in his own day the legend of a Mephistophelean figure. Stories circulated that he was in league with the devil and that he had been imprisoned for murder; his burial in consecrated ground was delayed for five years. He was long regarded as a miser, but a more accurate portrait would consider his desire to be free from a train of dependent followers and their importunities for his largesse. His gift of 20,000 francs to the struggling composer Berlioz was an act of generosity seemingly uncharacteristic; possibly Paganini, recognizing in "Beethoven's successor" a worthy talent, thought it was his duty to come to the composer's aid.His violin technique, based on that of his works, principally the Capricci, the violin concertos, and the sets of variations, demanded a wide use of harmonics and pizzicato effects, new methods of fingering and even of tuning. In performance, he improvised brilliantly. He was also a flamboyant showman who used trick effects such as severing one or two violin strings and continuing the piece on the remaining strings. Later virtuosi, notably Pablo Sarasate and Eugene Ysaye, imitated his technical innovations. His other works include 6 violin concertos, of which the first, in D major, is especially popular; 12 sonatas for violin and guitar; and 6 quartets for violin, viola, cello and guitar. The influence of his virtuosity extended to orchestral as well as to piano music. His influence on Franz Liszt was immense. Themes from the Capricci inspired works by Liszt, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms and Sergey Rachmaninoff.Tartini, Giuseppe Birth: April 8, 1692, Pirano, Istria, republic of Venice [Italy] Death: Feb. 26, 1770, Padua, republic of VeniceItalian violinist, composer and theorist who helped establish the modern style of violin bowing and formulate...
