Nicoloò Paganini Complete Edition

Disclaimer: I’m afraid I don’t have an analytical understanding of classical music, so apologies in advance for any shortcomings in my review.Blimey O’Riley, you get your moneys worth here with this 40-disc odyssey, good sound quality mind (some Paganini CD's I've brought in the past have been on the quiet side).Paganini’s best know works are all present & correct, firstly with the six Violin Concerto, performed by Teatro Carle Felice di Genova Orchestra, Concerto two is also repeated on the 37th disc but with Accardo on lead violin, as is the 1st & fourth Concerto (disc 38) with Ricci taking lead violin. What I enjoy about the Concertos is the drama & tension between the solo violin & the rest of the orchestra, it’s amazing sonic contrast.There are two versions of probably Paganini’s most performed works, 24 Caprices, the first is performed by Leoidas Kavacos, but the more successful is Ricci’s, which he attacks with real vim & Vigour.I think the weakest part of the boxset is the chamber music, it’s has it moments, with some nice melodies, but for me the pieces lack the drama of his other works.Perhaps because I’m a bit of a rock music fan, but I do enjoy Paganini’s solo guitar pieces, again with some great melodies, although a lot of them are frustratingly short.The surprise highlight for me is the final two discs that feature Marco Pasini piano interpretations of Paganini’s works (such as Frantz Liszt, Grandes Etudes de Paganini (1851 No.1 in G minor & Robert Scumann, Etudes pour le pianoforte d’apres des caprices de Paganini Op. 3 No.1 in A minor). They are quite a refreshing change of pace after 38 discs of strings, plus there’s certainly a touch of menace in Pasini’s playing.There are also a few odds n’ sods through in as well, including a Jimi Hendrix style interpretation of “God save the Queen” & operatic versions of Ghiribizzo & Sul margine d’un rio & E’ pur amabile sung by Lucia Cortese.Also included is a well written booklet, detailing whats on each of the discs & a 22 page bio of Paganini’s life.There are a couple of criticisms of the set, firstly is the actual box is quite thin card & the discs are in paper/plastic sheaths , but this probably Dynamics way of keeping the costs down & although I love the music of Paganini (I wouldn't have forked out £50 odd quid for the boxset), there isn't enough good pieces to warrant 40 discs.So buying “Nicolo Paganini Complete Edition” is a bit of a double-edged sword, as it does mean I've now got all of his music & unless some new manuscripts are unearthed, then this is it, still it should keep me going for quite a while.

Excellent!