1. NICCOLÓ PAGANINI 1782-1840

2.  Born in Genoa, Italy.  One of six children.  His father taught violin and mandolin.  At 6 went to professional teachers.  By 13 no teacher had anything more to teach him.

3.  Wrote his first sonata in 1790.  Was performing concert tours by 15.  Was known to play so passionately, men would burst into tears and women would faint.  Composed 6 Violin concertos  Sonatas for Violin  Sonatas for Violin and Guitar  Wrote “La Streghe” or the “Witches’ Dance”  Hardest composition were the 24 Caprices for Violin.  For years was the only one able to play them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP9Z3BXuy1k

4.  Went on a 2 ½ year tour that covered 4 countries and over 40 cities.  In 1832 visited England and Scotland on another very successful tour.  Met singer Antonia Bianchi on tour in 1825 They had a son in July 1825 but were never married.

5.  He had no bottom teeth.  Dressed in black wore a long black cloak and had long dark hair.  Promoted the idea that he was possessed by the Devil.  Known to put things on his hand in a concert to make his left hand smoke. (most likely magnesium)

6.  Most likely suffered from "Ehlers-Danlos” syndrome, which caused loose joints, so he had more mobile fingers.  Also had "Marfan Syndrome” which caused long limbs and fingers.  Because of these two thing, he could play three octaves without moving from first position.  Performed a song "Moses Fantasy” for the G string, played completely on the G string. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLankIuhXh0 &feature=related

7.  Names his only violin the Cannone Guarnerius, or the Cannon.  Had the strings on nearly the same level, opposed to modern violins which are arched.  This allowed him to play the amazing triple and quadruple stops.

8.  Developed and expanded on several techniques.  Double, triple, and quad stops.  Double stop octave runs.  Left hand Pizz.  Ricochet bowing  Scordatura or tuning strings to pitches other than G D A E.