Commissioned by Jennifer Koh with the generous support of Justus Schlichting, to whom this music is dedicated

  • Violin
  • 2 min

Programme Note

Composer Note
In 1989 Klaus Kinski wrote, directed, and starred in the surreal, sublime, touching and ultimately ridiculous film "Paganini." My short composition for violinist Jennifer Koh, Kinski Paganini, references Paganini's 24th Caprice, but is also a nod to the unbridled energy of the late German actor/director/madman. Kinski's portrayal required him to smash his instrument against walls, tear through every room in an inexplicable rage, and "play" his violin with a devilish intensity. Any hope or memory of musical accuracy is obliterated in this film, and replaced with a passion and humanity that is possibly even closer to how we experience music in our hearts.

— Missy Mazzoli

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