While legendary for his music composed for the violin,
Paganini is no less skilled or enjoyable in his compositions for the guitar. Milanese guitarist
Guido Fichtner takes on
Paganini's repertoire for the guitar with great relish and flawless technique. One can sense this from the opening notes of Sonatina No. 1, MS 85/1, where
Fichtner's touch is assured and the music moves, flows without pause. This suppleness and athletic playing continue throughout the album, where there is a graceful energy on Sonatina No. 3, MS 85/3, and a lilting feeling through Valtz, MS 92.
Fichtner sounds confident and is able to highlight the melody while still playing the accompaniment, as is clearly evident in Sonatina No. 5, MS 85/5. The Sonata, MS 87, is an enjoyable break in the repertoire, for it is a bit slower and less energetic. But
Fichtner still breathes life into the lines, with swelling crescendo-decrescendos. We also hear his tenderness in the dynamic changes as in Allegretto, MS 90, and the lovely phrasing in Valtz e Trio. The album, however, could use more of a variety of pieces, for it tends to sound rather similar after a while. There could be a bit more subtlety to the phrasing, and more pieces like Andantino, MS 102, which is so beautifully somber, for a contrast. Overall, the album is a bright, sunny musical experience reflective of the composer's native country, and the excellent recording quality does a good job of conveying this talented artist's performance.