Quartets for Strings and Guitar

Only six of Nicolò Paganini's fifteen quartets with guitar were published during his lifetime. They represent his best chamber music compositions, as heard in the three quartets for violin, viola, guitar and cello, op. 4. Of these, no. 3 in A major is a masterpiece with French inspiration, very lyrical and full of hearty ideas, while the virtuoso, almost concertante no. 8 in A major with its Rossini echoes perfectly reflects his brilliant quartet composition. No. 12 in A minor is the most 'symphonic' of the three quartets, with formal originality, one of Paganini's most moving slow movements and his most serious finale. The pieces are performed by the Paganini Ensemble Vienna, which has been engaged with Paganini for some time. In honor of their work, they have been appointed ambassadors of the European Paganini Route, a network connecting universities, public institutions and associations from 12 European countries and promoting the cultural and musical heritage of Nicolò Paganini. Between 2021 and 2024, the ensemble performed throughout Europe, Canada and China at prestigious venues and festivals, including the Auditorio Nacional de Música Madrid, the Musikverein and the Konzerthaus Wenen, the Paganini Festival Genova and the Collingwood Music Festival in Canada.