Niccolò Paganini - 24 Caprices (María Dueñas)

Information

• Niccolò Paganini - 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1, MS 25
• Pablo de Sarasate - Caprice basque, Op. 24
• Fritz Kreisler - Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice, Op. 6
• Fritz Kreisler - Caprice viennois, Op. 2 (arr. Fougeray)
• Jordi Cervelló - Milstein Caprice
• Henryk Wieniawski - Études-Caprices for 2 Violins, Op. 18: No. 2 in E-Flat Major
• Gabriela Ortiz - De cuerda y madera
• Camille Saint-Saëns - Caprice andalous, Op. 122
• Hector Berlioz - Rêverie et caprice, H. 88
• Camille Saint-Saëns - Introduction et rondo capriccioso, Op. 28

María Dueñas, violin

Boris Kuschnir, violin

Itamar Golan, piano

Alexander Malofeev, piano

Raphael Feuillatre, guitar

Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin

Mihhail Gerts, conductor

Date: 2025

Label: Deutsche Grammophon (DG)

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Following her acclaimed DG debut album Beethoven and Beyond, the Spanish violinist María Dueñas has chosen to play Nicolò Paganini's iconic 24 Caprices for her second album. The cycle known for its breathtaking finesse and virtuosity is also characterized by its musical variety and depth. The album is complemented by a mixture of solo, chamber and orchestral caprices inspired by Paganini. These include selected pieces by Berlioz, Kreisler, Saint-Saëns, Sarasate, Wieniawski as well as two works written specially for Dueñas by contemporary composers Jordi Cervelló and Gabriela Ortiz, the latter in a world premiere recording.

"Paganini's 24 Caprices are a milestone for every violinist," explains Dueñas, when asked about her choice of repertoire. "I grew up listening to and performing them, and when we hear the word 'caprice' we instantly think of Paganini, but there are so many other caprices, from Saint-Saëns's Rondo capriccioso to works by contemporary composers like Cervelló, for example. I really wanted to show how a lot of little moments from the musical world all come together."

Dueñas is accompanied by violinist Boris Kuschnir, pianists Itamar Golan and Alexander Malofeev and guitarist Raphaël Feuillâtre. For the orchestral works by Berlioz and Saint-Saëns, she is supported by Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin under conductor Mihhail Gerts.