Muczynski Desperate Measures Op. 48 (Paganini Variations)
Claire Z.
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In 1817, when Paganini composed his Caprice No. 24 in A minor for violin, it quickly became an undeniably memorable tune. Composers like Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and Muczynski then took Paganini’s theme and wrote their own set of variations. Muczynski’s variations are structurally similar to Paganini’s original work: both introduce the main theme and follow with roughly 12 characteristically distinct variations. However, where Paganini’s Caprice and many other variations shine through technical flawlessness and flashy virtuosity, Desperate Measures is unapologetically full of grit and punch. When I was learning this piece, my teacher told me to leave the familiar world of Beethoven and Chopin behind and that I needed to watch 1940s “film noir” movies full of crime and cynicism to get the gist of the music style. Through getting to know this piece, I began recognizing each jazzy rhythmic syncopation as reminiscent of this film noir shadowy aesthetic.
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Creativity in music is to pore over every detail until each moment reflects personal introspection. Every work I produce or perform is like a mosaic of little bits of myself, things I am inspired by, and ideas that intrigue me.
