Niccolò Paganini - His Music, His Instruments (Carlotta Dalia; Goldmund Quartet)

Information

Composer: Niccolò Paganini

1. Guitar Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, MS 42: I. Maestoso
2. Guitar Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, MS 42: II. Minuetto a Canone. Andantino
3. Guitar Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, MS 42: III. Recitativo - Andante Sostenuto, Con Sentimento
4. Guitar Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, MS 42: IV. Adagio Cantabile
5. Guitar Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, MS 42: V. Rondo. Allegretto
6. Sonata in A Major, Op. 3 No. 1, Ms27 (for Solo Violin, transcribed for Guitar by Manuel Barrueco)
7. String Quartet No. 3 in A Minor, MS 20: I. Largo - Allegro
8. String Quartet No. 3 in A Minor, MS 20: II. Minuetto. Andantino
9. String Quartet No. 3 in A Minor, MS 20: III. Andante Con Variazioni
10. String Quartet No. 3 in A Minor, MS 20: IV. Finale. Presto
11. Te Voglio Bene Assaje (Canzone Napoletana, attribuita a Gaetano Donizetti)
12. Caprice No. 24 in A Minor (Version for Guitar and String Quartet)

Carlotta Dalia, guitar

Goldmund Quartet

Date: 2026

Label: Berlin Classics

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This landmark recording, Paganini – his music, his instruments, reunites five historic instruments owned by Niccolò Paganini for the first time, featuring Munich's Goldmund Quartet alongside Italian guitarist Carlotta Dalia. Spurred by a casual conversation in Japan, the musicians assembled the "Paganini Quartet"—four Stradivari instruments on loan from the Sasakawa Music Foundation—and Paganini’s personal guitar, housed at Genoa's Palazzo Tursi. The album explores Paganini’s fifteen guitar quartets, highlighting his intimate connection to the guitar, which served as his primary compositional tool. Released by Berlin Classics, this collaboration offers a fresh perspective on Paganini, moving beyond his virtuoso persona to celebrate his lyrical chamber music.

Born in Tuscany in 1999, Italian guitarist Carlotta Dalia is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso renowned for her expressive power and sound. A former prodigy who debuted at age twelve, she has won over 40 competitions, including first prize at the Niccolò Paganini Competition in Parma. Dalia tours extensively worldwide, performing solistically, with major orchestras, and in duos with violinist Giuseppe Gibboni and cellist Maximilian Hornung. Her extensive discography includes critically acclaimed recordings for Berlin Classics, notably her award-winning album of Ida Presti's complete guitar works. Educated at the Accademia Chigiana and Mozarteum Salzburg, she teaches at the Politecnico delle Arti di Bergamo.

The Goldmund Quartet is acclaimed internationally for its refined intonation, exquisite phrasing, and unified interpretive depth across classical and contemporary chamber repertoires. Major prizewinners at both the Wigmore Hall and Melbourne International Chamber Music Competitions, the ensemble was designated ECHO Rising Stars for the 2019/20 season, performing in prestigious venues such as the Philharmonie de Paris and Vienna Konzerthaus. Trained by members of the Alban Berg and Artemis Quartets, their artistry is further distinguished by performing on Antonio Stradivari’s historic "Paganini Quartet," on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation. Their critically acclaimed discography includes recordings for Naxos and Berlin Classics.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz