Why is Paganini such a popular choice?

[Will Kirk]

Why is he such a popular choice for composers to write variations or arrangements on? his music is not simple to play at all. So, why do you think that is?

[reith]

because he wrote such good tunes - for which he was never really recognised...
?

[Bassoonery]

Alternatively... because his tunes weren't much good and were easily improved on by superior composers!

[ttw]

The Caprices (especially #24) have a structure that makes them a good basis for variations.

[Ballaw de Quincewold]

He isn't exceedingly popular since all the variations other composers wrote were all on the exact same Caprice.

[reith]

Originally Posted by Bassoonery

Alternatively... because his tunes weren't much good and were easily improved on by superior composers!

Maybe, but give him a chance - he was a violinist with no published music that even started to challenge him so he had to write his own. He was terrifically popular in his time - trouble was, after his death too few aspiring players would attempt his stuff. So there was this gap....

Even now few can bring off his stuff with any artistry. Plenty of technically brilliant Far Eastern kiddies can play the notes but art?
His music is a must for live performance and there simply isn't anyone about who could bring off his panache. Maybe Vengerov.

PS. At least one can whistle his tunes, except the double-stop harmonics of course (unless you're very clever).

[Bassoonery]

Even now few can bring off his stuff with any artistry. Plenty of technically brilliant Far Eastern kiddies can play the notes but art?

I wonder if the man himself played with any artistry? He was certainly a forbidable performer who was almost superhuman in his tecnhical ability but maybe he lacked the art in the way that a circus performer is less expressive than a theatre actor despite being more agile and physically talented.

Far eastern kiddies? hehe that made me laugh. I was born in japan so I have a great deal of affaction for my far eastern friends but I have to agree that the way virtuosos are churned out by forceful teachers and parents is sad. I played in the orchestra for the piano conc class at our local music festival and most of the kids were from the japanese school. They all looked so sad and played so slowly and without commitment that despite their technical prowess the performances were uncovincing. And then came a little 11year old Japanese girl in a puffy dress who did not go to the school and she shone. No sheet music, no nerves, no pretention. It was unbelievable and a joy to play with her. She won of course...