Henri Vieuxtemps: Capriccio in C minor op. 55 “Homage à Paganini“ for Viola solo

Neasa Ní Bhriain, viola (graduate of the class Prof. Erich W. Krüger/ Prof. Ditte Leser, concert exam) At the age of 14, Henri Vieuxtemps met the acclaimed Italian violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini in London. He was deeply impressed by his virtuosity and intense charisma. His entire life he tried to connect virtuosity and serious expression: “After studying Beethoven’s violin concerto, the music of Spohr and others, I wondered whether it might not be possible to unite serious music and modern violin technique, with its great effects, its nobility and strength so as to create a new and higher genre.“ The Capriccio “Homage à paganini“, which was published posthumously, represents such a poetic view of virtuosity. Website of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar: