Violin Concerto No. 2 (Paganini)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In 1826, Nicolò Paganini composed his second violin concerto in Italy. In his Second Concerto, Paganini holds back on the demonstration of virtuosity, in favour of greater individuality in the melodic style. The third movement of Paganini's Second Concerto owes its nickname "La Campanella" or "La Clochette" to the little bell which Paganini prescribes to presage each recurrence of the rondo theme. The character of the bell is also imitated in the orchestra and in some of the soloist's passages featuring harmonics. The outcome is a very transparent texture, which gains extra charm of gypsy coloration of the rondo theme. This movement gives proof of a compositional mastery which Paganini is too often alleged not to possess.

Paganini's second Violin Concerto is in three movements:

1. Allegro maestoso
2. Adagio
3. Rondo