Beneath this cupola of white marble, with its granite columns, may the ashes of Paganini rest in peace. His true remains--his reputation, his influence, his music, are with us for ever.
_Plate 14_--Facing page 90.
PAGANINI IN PRISON. One of the many scandals which is contradicted in the text. (See page 90.) There is another prison story that during Paganini"s incarceration, he was reduced to the G, in consequence of the other strings having broken--hence his wonderful development of the fourth. This is again apocryphal. Paganini has greater claim to a scientific knowledge of the acoustical property of strings.
_Plates 15, 16, and 17_, see pages 101, 102, and 103,
are reproductions of Paganini"s MSS. in the British Museum. No. 15, a letter (dated April 16th, 1832, and in French) thanking the person addressed, for kindness shown to his "cher fils Achille," Nos. 16 (dated February 19th, 1835) and 17 (dated May 5th, 1838); short notes (in Italian) are interesting autographs. Paganini was proverbially a "silent man"--his epistles are very rare.
_Plates 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22_--Pages 129-133.
These reproductions of rare programmes tell their own tales--they are interesting, because there are seen the items and the arrangement of concerts, also the prices, for admission, etc.--in those years.
_Plate 23_--Facing page 136.
FACSIMILE OF A LETTER BY PAGANINI, dated 1829. It was formerly in the possession of the late Mr. Carrodus, the great English violinist.
_Plate 24_--Facing page 144.
A SEMI-CARICATURE OF PAGANINI with the inscription.
The Modern Apollo (not Belvedere) Receiving the homage of 5,000 persons, after having pocketed 2,000 for two hours" performance.
Sketched at his last Concert at the King"s Theatre. Published by G.
Madeley, Wellington Street, Strand, 1831.
_Plates 25 and 26_, see pages 176 and 177.
Reproductions of music MS. in British Museum. A Theme, with variations for violin, with accompaniment, is a curious example of the great master"s compositions.
_Plate 27_--Facing page 190.
COPY OF A RARE COPPER MEDAL struck in Paganini"s honor in 1831.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The extraordinary career of Paganini has received more attention than the life of any other instrumentalist. Of these biographies, it is impossible to give a complete list.
The following may, however, be commended.
"Paganini in seinem Reisewagen und Zimmer, in seinen redseligen Stunden, in gesellsschaftlichen Kirkeln, und seinen Concerten."
Brunswick, Vieweg, 1830. Mr. George Harris, the writer of this pamphlet, was an Englishman, who in order to study Paganini, became the Violinist"s secretary and interpreter.
"Leben, Charakter und Kunst N. Paganini"s--Eine Skizze,"--by M. F.
Shutz, a Professor at Halle. Leipzig, 1830.
"Paganini"s Leben und Treiben als Kunstler und als Mensch." Prague, 1830. Written by Professor Schottky.
"Paganini"s Leben und Charakter," by M. L. Vinela. Hamburg, 1830.
"Notice sur le celebre violoniste Nicol Paganini," by M. J. Imbert de Laphaleque. Paris.
"Paganini et de Beriot, ou Avis aux artistes qui se destinent a l"enseignement du Violon," by F. Fayolle. Paris, 1831.
"Paganini, his life, his person, and a few words upon his secret,"
by J. L. Anders. Paris, 1831.
"Vita di Nicol Paganini di Genova, scritta ed ill.u.s.trata da Giancarlo Conestabile, socio di varie Academie." Perugia, 1831.
"Nicolo Paganini," by F. J. Fetis. Published by Schott and Co.
"L"Alb.u.m." "Paganini." Rome, 1840.
"Good Words." Three articles by Rev. H. R. Haweis, M.A.
"Musical Gem." "Paganini." Portrait by R. J. Hamerton. London, 1832.
"The Violin," with some account of that leading instrument and its most eminent professors, by George Dubourg, 1836 and 1878. This interesting book contains a long account of Paganini (ill.u.s.trated.)
"Life of Moscheles." Two vols. 1873. In Vol. I., chapters 13 and 14, "Paganini."
"Louis Spohr"s Autobiography," _vide_ "Paganini," Vol. I., page 279, and Vol. II., page 168. Spohr says: "His (Paganini"s) left hand and his constantly pure intonation were to me astonishing."
"Dictionary of Music and Musicians," by Sir George Grove, D.C.L., _vide_ article Paganini.
"Encyclopadie der gesammten musicalischen Wissenschaften," by Dr.
Gustav Schilling. Article Paganini.
Dr. Riemann"s "Dictionary of Music," article Paganini.
"The Strad," various articles and paragraphs in the series of this journal.
"The Violin," by George Hart. Engravings of Paganini"s Violin.
"Old Violins and their Makers," by James M. Fleming.
"Ole Bull," by Sara C. Bull. Various notices of Paganini.
"Musical Opinion," July, August, and September, 1888. A renowned fiddler (Paganini.) Three articles by Richard Harrison.
"Musical News," 1903.
"A Wooden Shoe" (Story of Paganini) by M. P. Audebrand.
"Paganiniana," (circa 1865.)