Was the first great instrumental virtuosos
of the 19th century. An
Italian violinist,
he developed a spectacular technique, demonstrated in his "caprices,"
that enabled him to dazzle audiences. In addition, his innate showmanship
gave him an almost hypnotic power over his listeners. His compositions
include many virtuoso works for violin. He had a profound effect
on many Romantic composers, especially Schumann
and Liszt, who tried to adapt Paganini's concepts
of virtuosity to the piano.