Salt Lake Paradigm quartet to spotlight Paganini

The name Niccolo Paganini is indelibly associated with the violin. Besides being a legendary virtuoso, he was also an able composer, whose technically demanding concertos and solo pieces for violin, while not always of the highest musical merit, have always found favor with concert artists.

However, Paganini was also an accomplished violist, who commissioned Hector Berlioz to write a viola concerto for him. But when Paganini saw the score, he refused to play it, saying that the work, which was "Harold in Italy," wasn't virtuosic enough. Paganini himself, however, never wrote a viola concerto.

Paganini was also fascinated by the guitar and became quite a skilled player. He also wrote a fairly large amount of chamber works that employ the instrument. These are all but forgotten today, although there are several recordings available.

One of these works, the Quartet No. 15 in C major for Viola, Violin, Cello and Guitar, will be on the program at next weekend's Paradigm Concerts.

The quartet is unusual for two reasons — not only does it use a guitar, but Paganini replaces the first violin part with the viola and relegates the violin to a secondary role. "The viola plays first violin and the violin plays second," said Paradigm Concerts director and violist Joel Rosenberg.

And this isn't the only piece where this happens. "Paganini wrote several other works where the viola has a major role. He wrote these for himself."

Rosenberg said the quartet is musically attractive and appealing. "The five movements are all very beautiful and charming, particularly the third and fourth movements, which are the heart of the quartet." The third is an operatic recitative, while the fourth is a heartfelt romance. "This is delightful music."

Joining Rosenberg will be violinist John Thompson, cellist Ellen Bridger and guitarist Todd Woodbury. "We have a wonderful quartet of players for the Paganini," Rosenberg said. "Ellen is a wonderful cellist, and John is a former member of the Utah Symphony."

Both Bridger and Thompson will be making their Paradigm Concerts debut next weekend. Woodbury has performed on the Paradigm series in the past, and he and Thompson have appeared together as part of the Cottonwood Ensemble for more than 15 years.