Grand sonata in A Major

Paganini’s revolutionary music for the violin is so well known it’s easy to forget he was also a virtuoso guitarist, and wrote many pieces for the instrument. The Grand Sonata is among the most substantial of these. Written in 1804, the Sonata originally included a simple solo violin part—for a modestly gifted recital partner, reputedly—but this is often omitted. The opening movement is generally relaxed and sunny in demeanour, with slightly more ruffled material in its central section. The slow movement, marked “Romance, lovingly” by Paganini, is soulfully melodic, with the atmosphere of a dreamy nocturne. The upbeat finale presents a jaunty theme and works six variations on it, each one posing a substantial technical difficulty for the soloist. Fast repeated notes and rapid switches between the guitar’s upper and lower registers are just two of the challenges requiring soloists to demonstrate their finer nuances of touch and articulation.