Dita Del Diavolo (2020) Caprice for Solo Violin

Duration: 4 minutes

Commissioned by: Dr. Benjamin Sung for his Paganini Caprice Project

Program Note: Dita del Diavolo (Fingers of the Devil) was commissioned by violinist Benjamin Sung for his Paganini Caprice Project where he committed to performing all 24 Paganini Caprices in a single concert and commissioning new works inspired by these caprices. 

Niccolò Paganini was so gifted on the violin that it was often rumored he sold his soul to the devil for his talent. Paganini had a genetic disorder known as Marfan syndrome that made his fingers extra-long paired with another condition Ehlers-Danlos syndrome providing increased flexibility, allowing him greater speed and range on the instrument and adding to the devil myth. Dita del Diavolo pays homage to Paganini's legacy and the pinnacle of virtuosity displayed in his 24 caprices.