Niccolo Paganini was one of the most amazing violinists the world has ever known. Born October 27, 1782, in Genoa, Italy, he changed music forever with his unbelievable skills and unique compositions. His life was a mix of brilliance, challenges, and an enduring legacy that continues to inspire musicians today.
People called him “The Devil’s Violinist” because his talent went so far beyond what they could believe a human could produce alone, but it may be more accurate to say that this kind-hearted man was divinely inspired.
A gifted child
Paganini was not like other children. From a young age, he showed a deep interest in music. His father, Antonio Paganini, was a dockworker and amateur musician. Witnessing his son’s early talent, he felt sure that he would become a musical genius one day.
Strict and ambitious, Antonio pushed Niccolo to practice for hours every day. Though this harsh discipline was very difficult to endure, Paganini’s passion for music grew and he worked hard to improve.
By the time he was seven years old, he could play the violin so well that people came to watch him perform. Even though they were poor, his parents did everything to support his talent, making sure he got the best education possible.
Obstacles and challenges
Paganini’s path to fame was not without challenges. Chronic illness made him physically frail. Throughout his life, Paganini was confronted with rumors about his health and appearance, and the source of his extraordinary talent.
Paganini also had his weaknesses, to be sure. Alcohol, women and gambling kept him from living an exemplary life, but perhaps they brought about the intensity of emotions often felt at his performances.
The devil’s violinist
With his poor constitution, Paganini grew very tall and thin. He had long fingers that seemed to stretch like rubber; a characteristic that not only helped him produce amazing sounds, but also gave an eerie edge to his appearance.
Exhibiting a talent that far surpassed his peers, some suggested that Paganini had made a deal with the Devil. Others thought he used magic to perform his tricks.
One of his most famous acts was playing even after the strings on his violin broke. Paganini once finished an entire concert on one string, stunning the world. Such incredible performances earned him the nickname “The Devil’s Violinist.”
Modern-day doctors believe that Paganini may have had a condition called Marfan syndrome, which made his fingers and joints extra flexible, thus enabling him to play the violin with extraordinary dexterity.
The heart of an angel
Despite his many challenges and weaknesses, Paganini remained ever kind and enduring, as we can see in the following account of his troublesome child:
“It was enough to make one die of laughing to see Paganini in his slippers fighting with his little son, who reached to about his knee. Sometimes the little Achillino would get into a rage; draw his sabre upon his father, who would retreat into the corner of the room and call out, ‘Enough, enough! I am wounded already;’ but the little fellow would never leave off until he had laid his gigantic adversary tottering and prostrate on the bed. Paganini had now finished the dressing of his Achillino, but was himself still in dishabille. And now arose the great difficulty, how to accomplish his own toilet, where to find his neckcloth, his boots, his coat. All were hid, and by whom?—by Achillino. The urchin laughed when he saw his father pacing with long strides through the apartment, his searching looks glancing in all directions; and upon his asking him where he had put his things, the little wag pretended astonishment, and held his tongue, shrugged up his shoulders, shook his head, and signified by his gesture that he knew nothing about them. After a long search, the boots were found; they were hid under the trunk; the handkerchief lay in one of the boots; the coat in the box; and the waistcoat in the drawer of the table. Every time that Paganini had found one of his things, he drew it out in triumph, took a great pinch of snuff, and went with new zeal to search for the remaining articles, always followed by the little fellow, who enjoyed it vastly when he saw his papa searching in places where he knew nothing was hid. At last we went out, and Paganini shut the door of the apartment, leaving behind him, lying about upon the tables and in the cupboards, rings, watches, gold, and what I most wondered at, his most precious violins. Any idea of the insecurity of his property never entered his head; and, fortunately for him, in the lodgings which he occupied the people were honest.”
A kind and generous heart
Niccolo Paganini (Image:Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres via Commons Wikimidia Public domain)
Even if he nearly gambled away his violin and was sadly misunderstood, no one can deny that Paganini had a kind and generous heart. As we can see in the following excerpts from Among the Great Masters of Music, Paganini used his fame and fortune to help others:
One day, while walking in Vienna, Paganini came across a poor boy playing upon a violin. He went up to him and learned that he maintained his mother and a flock of little brothers and sisters by the money which he picked up as an itinerant musician.
Paganini turned out his pockets, gave the boy all the coins he could find, and then, taking the boy’s violin, commenced playing. A crowd soon assembled, and, when he had finished playing, Paganini went around with his hat, collected a goodly sum, and then gave it to the boy, amid loud acclamations from the bystanders.
—
In the autumn of 1832 Paganini was an invalid at Paris, and seldom saw any one but Nicette, a merry country girl who waited upon him, and often cheered him up in hours of sadness. One morning she appeared with weeping eyes, and waited upon the musician without saying a word.
“What’s the matter, child?” said the musician. “Has any misfortune happened to you?”
“Alas! yes, sir.”
“Speak! speak! What is it?”
She was silent.
“Now, out with it,” said he. “I see it all clearly enough. After he had made you a thousand promises he has forsaken you. Is it not so?”
“Alas! poor fellow, he has indeed forsaken me, but he is quite innocent.”
“How has that happened?”
“He has drawn a bad number in the conscription, and must go off for a soldier. I shall never see him again!” sobbed the poor girl.
“But can’t you buy a substitute for him?”
“How could I get such a large sum? Fifteen hundred francs is the lowest price, for there is a report that a war will soon break out,” said she.
Paganini said no more, but when Nicette had left the room, he took his pocketbook and wrote in it, “To think what can be done for poor Nicette.”
It was toward Christmas-time, and Paganini’s health was improved, when one afternoon Nicette came into the room where he was, and announced that a box had come, addressed to Signer Paganini. It was brought in, and the first thing which he pulled out was a large wooden shoe.
“A wooden shoe,” said Paganini, smiling. “Some of these excellent ladies wish to compare me with a child, who always receives presents and never gives any. Well, who knows but that this shoe may earn its weight in gold?”
Nothing now was seen of Paganini for three days, during which time his clever hand had transformed the shoe into a well-sounding instrument. Soon afterward appeared an advertisement announcing that, on New Year’s eve, Paganini would give a concert, and play five pieces on the violin and five on a wooden shoe. A hundred tickets at twenty francs each were instantly sold. Paganini duly appeared, and played on his old violin as he alone ever did. Then, taking up the wooden shoe, he commenced a descriptive fantasia. There it was,—the departure of the conscript, the cries of his betrothed at the parting, the camp life, the battle and victory, the return-rejoicings, and marriage-bells, all were vividly portrayed.
The company departed, but in the corner of the room stood Nicette, sobbing bitterly.
“Here, Nicette,” said Paganini, going up to her, “are two thousand francs,—five hundred more than you require to purchase a substitute for your betrothed. That you may be able to begin housekeeping at once, take this shoe-violin and sell it for as much as you can get for it.”
Nicette did so, and a wealthy collector of curiosities gave her a very large sum indeed for Paganini’s wooden shoe.
Paganini’s legacy
Paganini was a musical genius who could play extremely fast, plucking, striking and stroking the strings to create magical sounds. Some of the most difficult music ever composed is attributed to his genius. His performances were so emotional and magical that the audience was always stirred.
Niccolo Paganini died on May 27, 1840, leaving a lasting impression on those who knew him, as well as a legacy to inspire future musicians. Some of his most famous pieces include:
Caprice No. 24: A difficult and exciting piece that still challenges violinists today.
La Campanella (The Little Bell): A playful and joyful tune.
Violin Concerto No. 1: A grand, emotionally charged work that highlights his lyrical and dramatic style.
Orginal article: https://www.visiontimes.com/2025/01/15/kind-hearted-violinist-paganini.html
