Sonata for Violin Solo

The Sonata à violin solo (M.S. 83) is an early work by Paganini that can be ascribed to the years 1796-1800, a period which includes works such as the posthumous Grande concerto (M.S. 75), the Inno patriottico con variazioni (M.S. 81) and the Tema variato (M.S. 82)for violin. There are no doubts as to the authenticity of the work: the highly virtuosic experimental writing, the indications Organetto and Flagioletto and the use of the fourth string are all distinctive traits found in Paganini’s writing from this period which link the Sonata to the Inno patriottico con variazioni and the Tema variato. The most significant characteristics of this composition are its length and the three-movement structure that connect it to the Classical style, at least far as the first movement is concerned: it is written in sonata form, something rarely seen in Paganini’s solo violin works.