Paganiniana @ChloeChuaviolinist

Singaporean violinist Chloe Chua plays Paganiniana. Chloe is one day shy of 17 at the time of this recording. She was Artist-In-Residence of the Singapore Symphony in our 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.

The name of Italian violinist-composer Niccolò Paganini is known to even the most superficial lover of classical music, and his Caprice No. 24 is perhaps one of the best known of his showpieces.

In 1954, American virtuoso violinist Nathan Milstein published a set of variations which he called Paganiniana, as a tribute to the original Paganini work. Videos of Milstein performing the work show that he changed bowings, fingerings, and even notes between performances, which may be frustrating for those who believe the written music is sacrosanct, but reflects the fact that at the heart of music, as well as at the core of every successful performer, there should be a spirit of improvisation and spontaneity which differentiates a magical performance from a merely competent one.

Recorded live at the Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore, on 6 Jan 2024.

Cover: Chloe (Photo by Clive Choo) with the famous fake daguerreotype of Paganini, forged in 1900 by Italian violin maker Giuseppe Fiorini.

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[FlyingAngel]

That's insanely perfect. I can't even describe my feelings.

[natashavernon]

Whoever came up with the idea of the thumbnail needs a raise 😮‍💨

[Kana-cfqh]

I just can't stop listening to it playing, I've lost count of how many times I've watched it 🥹🎻

[evebolton]

Her tone is so rich it's genuinely insane

[moa_andskittle]

The fact that this released publicly just after TwoSet said goodbye... she's still Chloe Sensei to TwoSetters.

[yumeko]

Oh my gosh, I was there when I heard it live.(I went on the first day) This was the highlight of the night. As stated previously, I went on the first night, and no one was expecting Chloe to play it solo since the programme book only stated Paganinia and nothing more.

But then, after wrapping up the fifth piece, Issac just left the stage, and everyone in the audience was dumbfounded. I was seated on the balcony, and I could see lost of ppl turning their heads ard to look at their friends as if to ask, 'There's no way she's gonna play solo, is she?" But then Chloe just stood there on stage and started tuning her violin. The concert hall was so quiet except for Chloe and her violin, it's like watching an Olympics match. Then Chloe squared her shoulders, planted her feet into the ground, and took a deep breath. The concert hall was so tense, but Chloe absolutely shredded that tension when she started playing Paganinia. Also, when she's playing the violin alone in the concert hall, you can literally hear every sound it makes. All of us in the audiences were 110% focused on Chloe's playing.

When she finished playing, the whole concert hall applauded so loudly, and everyone was just cheering. (And it went on for a while) When my friends and I were living in the concert hall, there were lots of ppl saying, 'What am I doing with my life, man' or 'what just happened, that was insane' because a lot of us were still trying to process what was going on. Afterwards, when I asked my non classical listener friend on her thoughts, even she was blown away.

I will definitely remember this concert, specifically this performance, for a long time to come. This was the third Chloe's concert I went to and I'm so glad that I managed to watch it live.

[graceonaga]

4 years after Chloe Sensei taught Brett and Eddy this piece, we finally get to hear it in its entirety. Singaporeans have been so lucky to have had her live performances all these years and the SSO has done a superb job of supporting her. After daily practice routines which include Paganini caprices, Paganiniana is a walk in the park for Chloe. I am sure she will continue working on technical virtuosity, which she has in abundance, but as she continues her education, a deepening understanding of music generally will help her in the area she wants and needs to become a better musician. She already is, as a number of people have commented, a world class violinist. She will get even better if she continues on this trajectory. Thank you for this upload!

[BarNuun]

Have been partially deaf for about 6 weeks (tinnitus, no overtones, etc.) and so ceased all music. But today by some miracle things
went back to normal and this one appears on my YTube screen. Of course she is famous for her exceedingly beautiful intonation, but
let me tell you just how this sounds after weeks of nothing : Jaw dropping, absolutely stunning. Thank you and Brava!
Stunning.

[danielluiz]

Until then we only had Hilary's version, now we have another version to look forward to, this performance will certainly reach millions of views

[deankiel]

Happy 17th Birthday Chloe 🌹♥🎈🎁🎻 Your super cute Chloe.

[hrio]

There are many great players, but Chloe is one of the rarest for she does not just play, she communicates.

[KirstenSyqKC-qz]

She played it so musically that I forgot how insanely difficult this piece is👏

[deankiel]

Chloe you are the best. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your Family ❤

[seantzeng]

Next generation of great violinists are here. Chloe is the clear leader.

[jessestheories]

This was more than Violin.❤💎
Thank You.

[AmitKumar-wqbc]

Yeah, take a bow little one, that is some incredible playing! she is no longer a child prodigy/ virtuoso anymore, she is a bona fide one of the best violin players on the planet.

[BUTYINDO]

I got a full body chills throughout this entire video

[limitstoprogress]

Thank you Chloe! To call this performance "flawless" would be insulting - between "flawless" and this amazing performance is an unbridgeable chasm, separating "lack of mistakes" from supreme achievement. This performance sets a high mark that perhaps nobody else will ever exceed. The perfection of technique is beyond imagination, the tone of this violin and the audio recording are amazing.

[BUTYINDO]

The way I stop and drop everything to get my earphone and listen to Chloe Sensei.... And she did SPECTACULAR 😭 I mean duh, it's THE Chloe sensei, one of the legendary LingLing, ofc she ATEEEE

[gioaelin]

I Can't explain how i feel after listening to this Masterclass. She absolutely nailed it. I am speechless.❤