CCMusic.com

Niccolo Paganini was already a legend in his lifetime as the "Devil's Violinist"-yet far fewer people, then or now, know that he was also one of the finest guitarists of his era, composing countless works for and with the guitar alongside his famously virtuosic violin pieces. Now, Salzburg's star violinist Benjamin Schmid and guitar virtuoso Petrit ceku embark on a mission to revive these overlooked gems, which hover between Mozart and Haydn on one side and Italian bel canto on the other. Joined by Florian Eggner and Benedict Mitterbauer, they present the Guitar Quartet No. 10, the Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Guitar, and the Trio for Violin, Guitar, and Cello-works of diverse genres, only partially published during Paganini's lifetime. These pieces blend breathtaking virtuosity (the Quartet could pass as a "disguised violin concerto") with playful charm and the intimate flair of Romantic salon music.