Niccolo Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op. 7, Alexander Markov (violin)

Niccolo Paganini - Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op. 7, ‘La Campanella’, Alexander Markov (violin), Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Saarbrücken, Marcello Viotti (conductor)
1.Allegro Maestoso
2. Adagio
3. Rondo - La Campanella

Niccolò (or Nicolò) Paganini (27 October 1782 – 27 May 1840) was an Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer. He was the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time, and left his mark as one of the pillars of modern violin technique.

The Israeli violinist Ivry Gitlis once referred to Paganini as a phenomenon rather than a development. Though some of the techniques frequently employed by Paganini were already present, most accomplished violinists of the time focused on intonation and bowing techniques. Another aspect of Paganini's violin techniques concerned his flexibility. He had exceptionally long fingers and was capable of playing three octaves across four strings in a hand span, an extraordinary feat even by today's standards.

About this recording:
“Even though Markov’s performance of the concertos isn’t live, he keeps you wondering. Big, bold gestures, thrilling leaps from one octave to another—at least one of them tacked on, along with other improvisational gambits that make the performance all the more authentic—spitting staccatos, and in-your-face cantabiles combine to make these adrenaline-laced performances bigger than life.
David K. Nelson called this “one hell of recording” and left it to readers to decide what he meant. I’m not sure whether David liked it as well as I do—and I don’t know whether bargain hunters who pick it up without knowing much about Markov will realize how unusual it is. But I’d agree with David, it’s one hell of a recording (Viotti, Orchestra, and recorded sound all cooperate).” . (excerpt from ‘FANFARE: Robert Maxham’)