This release features the world première recordings of the original version of three famous works by Paganini: Le Streghe, MS19, Non più mesta, MS22, and I Palpiti, MS77. It was the composer’s intention that the violin should be tuned a semitone higher, as in the brilliant performance on Dynamic of Paganini’s Violin Concerto No.1 in E flat major (CDS450), played by Massimo Quarta with Paganini’s violin. The violin part, in D major, therefore sounds as if it were written in E flat major, which is the key of the orchestral accompaniment. During the 19th century, the practice of tuning the instrument higher was abandoned. Bulgarian violinist Mario Hossen’s authoritative performance allows us to hear this version for the first time since Paganini’s day. The CD also includes the Religiosa introduzione al rondò del campanello, MS67/1, in another première recording, the first version of the Couvent du Mont St Bernard, MS67, and the Suonata con variazioni, MS47.

The penultimate release in our 40-CD Paganini Complete Edition.