Niccolò Paganini

Caprice No. 20 (arr. euphonium)

Paganini's compact violin caprice becomes an exposed euphonium study in interval, pulse, and mercurial character.

ComposerNiccolò Paganini
EraRomantic
TypeTranscription
Difficultyvirtuoso
Available scoringsUnaccompanied
Duration~4 minutes
Clefbass, treble
Originally forViolin
ArrangerDavid Werden
Technical demandswide intervals, rapid articulation, multiple character, unaccompanied pulse
Good forcompetition, virtuoso recital, unaccompanied program
PublisherCimarron Music Press

The caprice alternates a poised, almost rustic profile with quicker passagework. Those characters need different articulation and weight, but the underlying pulse must remain intact through every leap.

On euphonium, the danger is making a violin texture sound either labored or overly smooth. Efficient motion and a compact attack allow the line to retain its wit.

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