Paganini's Caprice, Op. 1, No. 24, has inspired numerous variations, and the popularity of Paganini's theme as the basis of variations should not merely be seen as a competitive effort among composers, but a tribute to the quality of the original theme. In particular, this can be seen through composers' varied approaches to texture, rhythm, meter, modulation, and harmony.

Works: Lutosławski: Variations on a Theme of Paganini (15-16, 32, 35-38, 70, 80); Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 43 (17-18, 31, 33,39-48, 70, 77, 83); Boris Blacher: Orchestervariationen über ein Thema von N. Paganini (20, 32-33, 48-51, 53, 74-75, 77-78, 80); Nathan Milstein: Paganiniana (21, 30, 33, 52-55, 65, 83); Eugène Ysaÿe: Paganini Variations, Op. post. (23, 32-33, 59-62, 70-71, 77, 84); David Baker: Ethnic Variations on a Theme of Paganini (23-25, 59, 64-65, 77, 80, 82); Bronslaw Przybylski: Variazioni sopra un tema di Paganini (25, 31, 33, 59, 62-63, 74-75, 77, 80-82); Gregor Piatigorsky: Variations on a Paganini Theme (26, 32-33, 56-57, 65, 70-72, 77, 83); Hans Bottermund: Variations on a Theme of Paganini (27, 30, 56, 58-59, 74, 85); Bryan Hesford: Variation on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 68 (28, 30, 32, 65, 67-68, 72-73, 77); Kenneth Wilson: Variations on a Theme of Paganini for Four B flat Clarinets (28-29, 33, 35, 65-67, 72-73, 85); Keith Cole: Excursions: Variations on a Theme of Paganini (29, 32, 33, 65-66, 74, 77).

Sources: 24 Caprices, Op. 1 (1, 12-13, 30-31, 33, 39-40, 43-49, 56-57, 59, 63, 65, 70, 77, 80, 83, 85); Sequence Dies Irae (39-40, 43, 46-48).

Index Classifications: 1900s

Contributed by: Virginia Whealton