Garrett vs. Paganini - an album guide

1. Ernst - Erlkönig

Guitar solos, heavy drums, a booming bassline - it's a storming start from David Garrett and his band, who've transformed this violin showpiece into something of a rock anthem. Exciting and electric, it's actually a reworking of a piece by Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst, one of Paganini's greatest successors. Picture: Facebook

2. Ma dove sei

If you're an Andrea Bocelli fan, you might recognise this track from his album Love in Portofino: it was included as a bonus 17th track in Germany…! Now Garrett fans also have a chance to listen to the singer's dulcet tones, accompanied by an indulgent violin tune.

3. Paganini - Caprice No. 24

It's not hard to understand why Paganini was hailed as a genius. Folky, lively and stratospherically high, this track is an unbridled take on the violinist's crazy tunes. Oh, and David Garrett's raw violin sound even sounds like an accordion at points - what more could you want?

4. Io ti penso amore

Prepare to be blown away by Pussycat doll turned classical singer Nicole Scherzinger and her impressive vocal talents. Just wait 'til she hits the high notes…

5. Paganini - Devil's Trill Sonata, Larghetto affetuoso

Don't be fooled by the scary 'Devil's Trill' title. This is one of the slower moments in Paganini's sonata, surprisingly measured and mournful, with unguarded Romantic emotion in spades.

6. Paganini - Sonata No. 12 in E minor

If Paganini's Sonata No. 12 were background music in a dimly lit tapas bar, it might sound a little like this. It's pretty different from the Romantic original (a drum beat and a sultry electric guitar'll do that to a piece of Paganini) but the intensity of Garrett's playing still shines through to create a surprisingly powerful piece of music.

7. Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake Theme

It's dainty, it's delicate… until the electric guitar solo, that is. Garrett's reinterpretation of this ballet classic is certainly worth a listen.

8. Liszt - La Campanella

Garrett proves his Paganini credentials with this fiendishly fast piece. It was actually written by Liszt, based on a tune of Paganini's from his Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor. Picture: Facebook

9. Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 2

There's only one thing that could make Rachmaninov's concerto even more tug-at-the-heartstrings beautiful: a soupy violin solo over the top. A new ensemble of instruments (there's that bass guitar again) brings different lines in the music to the fore, so even the biggest fans of Rachmaninov's music can discover something new. Picture: Facebook

10. Paganini - Caprice No. 5

It's a relentless battle between electric violin and electric guitar in this aggressively speedy piece. It's actually become something of a shred guitarist's showpiece after being popularised by 'neo-classical metal composer' Jason Becker. Picture: Facebook

11. Mozart - Alla Turca

Based on the final movement of Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 11, Garrett's violin reworking isn't short of tambourines and crazy rustic sounding drumming. Yes, it's quite a departure from the original piano music, but it's still just as energetic and exciting. Picture: Facebook

12. Scarlatti - Sonata in F minor

Moving from fast and furious to poignant and tear-jerking, David Garrett proves he can handle any violin music thrown at him. Or any piano music, for that matter: this is another piece given a string reworking to great effect on the album.

13. Gypsy Dance

The clue's in the title with this one. Expect cheeky tambourines, a plucked guitar, and a pacy drum beat. It's got something of a 'Rondo Alla Turca' feel to it, with a bit of extra oomph.

14. Carnival of Venice

Expect something of a musical fiesta in this cheery song. You might recognise this as the popular folk tune 'My hat, it has three corners', but it's since been transformed into a series of variations for solo instrument.

15. Capriccio Tarantella

A capriccio is a short, lively piece of music, and a tarantella is a hysterical Italian dance. What do you get when you mix the two? Possibly the most difficult-sounding violin piece in existence? A fitting end to this virtuosic album.