A Violinist and the Devil

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At the height of his fame and fortune, Niccolò Paganini, arguably the greatest violinist ever to live, was both the toast, and the bane, of Europe. Considered by most a musical genius, by some a musical god and by others, the Devil’s minion, Paganini’s virtuosity, appearance and bearing had some believing his skill could only come after he had made a pact with the Devil.

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[TodayIFoundOut]

Ready for another devilishly good tale? Then check out this video and find out about That Time a Guy Parachuted Onto Devils Tower and No One Could Figure Out How to Get Him Down:

[ianAEF]

Dressed in black, lightning speed, deal with the devil, alcoholism... Paganini was the first metal guitarist.

[carloreneeventura]

when you're so badass, people think you're in a deal with the demon

[sirhonkalot]

Treating syphilis with mercury... you gotta love modern medicine.

[GeorgiaLunch]

I saw the title and thumbnail and got excited over getting a Paganini episode. Some heavy metal musicians and historians cite him as an inspiration to parts of the genre today.

[Formoka]

It's a little sad when someone is amazingly good at something, so people attribute their skill to the devil or the supernatural. The person likely practiced very hard to get that good, even if they're also naturally gifted, and that deserves recognition for the hard work that it is.

[AgentDialUp]

"I done told you once you son of a b*tch, I'm the best that's ever been" - Paganini

[themoonlight]

This is the legend:
"She (Paganini's Mother) claimed to have had a dream when her boy was five years old of the grandeur that was to come.
She saw a theatre in flames, with her son grown tall playing triumphant music with Tartini conducting and competing for the soul of her son was a red Devil holding a guitar.

Then, an Angel appeared, and she asked that her son become a great violinist and that is name should become immortal.
A sign from the Angel indicated that her wish would be granted.

Paganini carried this story with him all his life long and vouched for its authenticity.
When his mother died he said that he lamented that he was not there to close her eyes, but he was not there, her son Nicolo was as nearly always far away in the service of his Demon and the successful pursuit of glory.

[Backroad_Junkie]

The devil went down to Genoa. I had the lyrics wrong.

[soulagent]

I'll never forget how he poured lighter fluid over his violin and set it on fire.

[aleryaniahmed]

When you're so good that people think that you're a hacker

[vzangel]

If it were possible to make a pact with the devil, I think there would be an overwhelming number of rich, famous and skillful people and even people with superpowers.

[aperson]

When the Devil had finished,  Paganini said "You're pretty good, old son. But sit down in that chair right there and let me show you how it's done!" He played fire on the mountain, run, boys, run! Devil's in the house of the rising sun! Chicken's in the bread pan pickin out dough. Granny, will your dog bite, no child no!

[CheeseTaterson]

First heard about this guy after playing Abyss Odyssey (he was a major character in the game). He lived a very interesting life, and it's cool to see that the modern "rock star" persona isn't as new a thing as we'd typically think.

[NlRAPTOR]

could you explain the violin as the "devil's instrument".

[StellariumCelestia]

Paganini is the reason I taught myself to play the violin

[robinterkzer]

The greatest violinist of them all ! The miracle that was Paganini !

[prodigieX]

All of a sudden.. there shined a shiny demon.. in the middle... of the road... AND HE SAID

the best in the world... or I'll eat your souls"

[TheGameNoire]

I thought it was gonna be about Tartini's devil's trill sonata. Tartini claimed he saw the devil play the violin in his dream in an exquisite manner and then woke up recreating what he saw the devil play to the best of his ability, and people consider it to be one of the most complex beautiful sonatas ever written. That would also be an interesting episode.

[drsudipendranathchatterjee]

He's my Icon..
My Salute to the Maestro !