Francesca Dego Plays Paganini's Violin

Chronique

"Il Cannone" ("The Cannon") was Paganini's favorite violin, willed by him to the city of Genoa, where, after some initial machinations, it has resided ever since. It has its own conservator, who contributes an interesting booklet note to the present release, but the main attraction is the instrument itself, which combines a warm lower register, purring in quieter passages, with a slashing top. Few violinists have been allowed to perform or record on the instrument, and those that have are not necessarily big names but those that have engaged with Paganini in some way, such as Francesca Dego, heard here. She offers a program that is mostly not Paganini but rather Paganiniana, as violinist Salvatore Accardo put in on a similar release some years ago. This is desirable, for it is difficult from the perspective of today to appreciate the stature Paganini had across Europe for decades after his death and even into the 20th century. Dego's selections range as far forward as John Corigliano's The Red Violin, which stands in a very long tradition. She had little time to familiarize herself with the considerable peculiarities of "Il Cannone," but you'd hardly know it from her performances, which bring tightly focused tones at the very top and effusive lyricism in melodic passages. The flair she brings to the contemporary pieces by Corigliano, Alfred Schnittke, and Carlo Boccadoro results in a varied program that does not hit one over the head with sheer virtuosity -- less necessary since plenty of violinists can handle Paganini these days -- but rather explores Paganini's legacy in a broader way. A must for violin buffs, this release is enjoyable for anyone intrigued by the Genoese master.

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