NICOLO PAGANINI:
HIS LIFE AND WORK.
PRINTED BY E. SHORE AND CO.,
3, GREEN TERRACE, ROSEBERY AVENUE, LONDON, E.C.
"THE STRAD" LIBRARY, No. XVII.
NICOLO PAGANINI:
HIS LIFE AND WORK,
BY
STEPHEN S. STRATTON.
"Natura il fece, e poi ruppe la stampa."
Ariosto.
WITH TWENTY-SEVEN ILLUSTRATIONS.
London:
"THE STRAD" Office, 3, Green Terrace, Rosebery Avenue, E.C.
J. LENG & CO., 186, Fleet Street, E.C.
New York:
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, 153-157, Fifth Avenue.
1907.
PREFACE.
The author of this work did not live to see the finalsheets in print. Although it has not received his revision,yet the book has had careful editing. Mr. Stratton didnot undertake the Life of Paganini without adequatepreparation. He had during many years thoughtfullystudied the artist and his attributes, and became anacknowledged authority on the subject. He gatheredfrom all available sources the most reliable information.Almost his last journey was a pilgrimage to Paganini'sbirthplace. This volume will exhibit his versatility,particularly the chapter giving the analyses of Paganini'scompositions. It is therefore the most complete account ofthe greatest virtuoso recorded in the annals of music.Those who peruse this most interesting biography ofPaganini, will naturally desire to learn something of thewriter.
Stephen Samuel Stratton was born in London onDecember 19th, 1840. He began his career as a choristerof St. Mary's Church, Ealing. He studied harmony andcomposition under Charles Lucas. As an organist, heheld these appointments—St. Mary the Virgin, Soho; andSt. James's Church, Friern Barnet. On his removal toBirmingham in 1866, he was organist at St. BarnabasChurch; Edgbaston Old Parish Church; St. John's,[ix]Harborne; and the Church of the Saviour (1878-1882).In 1879 he commenced a series of chamber concerts inBirmingham.
From 1877 until the day of his death, Mr. Strattonwas the musical critic of the "Birmingham Daily Post."In that position his influence was decidedly beneficial.He was