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What's on David Garrett's new album? From violin showpieces to incredible electric guitar reworkings on his latest film soundtrack, discover this energetic collection of music composed and inspired by Paganini, the 'devil's violinist'.
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
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.
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?
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…
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.