Paganini: 24 Caprices (2LP + CD)

María Dueñas strikes the perfect balance between artistry and technique as she tackles an icon of the repertoire for her second Deutsche Grammophon album. Following rave reviews and an Opus Klassik Young Talent of the Year award for her DG debut, Beethoven and Beyond, in 2024, the Spanish violinist now turns to Paganini's legendary 24 Caprices. She pairs these with a selection of later works inspired by Paganini, presenting music by composers ranging from Berlioz to Gabriela Ortiz. Dueñas is joined on chamber music pieces by Boris Kuschnir, pianists Itamar Golan and Alexander Malofeev, and guitarist Raphaël Feuillâtre. The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, conducted by Mihhail Gerts, also features on the album. "Paganini's 24 Caprices are a milestone for every violinist," explains María Dueñas, when asked about her repertoire choices. "I grew up listening to and performing them. When we hear the word 'caprice,' we immediately think of Paganini, but there are so many other caprices, from Saint-Saëns' Rondo capriccioso to works by contemporary composers like Cervelló, for example. I really wanted to show how so many small moments from the world of music come together." The second part of the album presents a mix of solo, chamber and orchestral eccentrics composed by Saint-Saëns, Berlioz, Sarasate, Kreisler, Wieniawski, Cervelló and Ortiz.