Composer(s): Paganini, Niccolò
Label: Gramola Records
Genre: Chamber Music
Period: Romantic
Catalogue No: Gramola99318
Barcode: 9003643993181
Release Date: 11/2025

PAGANINI, N.: Guitar Quartet No. 10 / Terzetto, Op. 66 / Centone di sonate: Sonata No. 1 (B. Schmid, Ceku, Eggner, Mitterbauer)

Niccolò 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 Çeku 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 (cello) and Benedict Mitterbauer (viola), 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.

Tracklist

Paganini, Niccolò
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Mitterbauer, Benedict (viola)
Eggner, Florian (cello)
1 I. Allegro 06:56
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Mitterbauer, Benedict (viola)
Eggner, Florian (cello)
2 II. Minuetto - Scherzo: Allegretto mosso 04:27
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Mitterbauer, Benedict (viola)
Eggner, Florian (cello)
3 III. Adagio cantabile 05:19
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Mitterbauer, Benedict (viola)
Eggner, Florian (cello)
4 IV. Rondo: Andantino con brio 06:14
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Mitterbauer, Benedict (viola)
Eggner, Florian (cello)
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
5 I. Introduzione - Allegro maestoso - Tempo di marcia 04:29
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
6 II. Rondoncino: Allegro 03:22
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Eggner, Florian (cello)
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
7 I. Allegro con brio 06:48
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Eggner, Florian (cello)
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
8 II. Minuetto: (Allegro vivace) 03:53
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Eggner, Florian (cello)
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
9 III. Andante - Larghetto (Cavate) 03:25
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Eggner, Florian (cello)
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)
10 IV. Rondo: (Allegretto) 05:45
Schmid, Benjamin (violin)
Eggner, Florian (cello)
Ceku, Petrit (guitar)

Total Playing Time: 50:38