Variations on a Theme of Paganini

Dennis Hugh Avey
For Robert Brannen, President, Brannen Bros. Flutes

“At the impressionable age of five, a relative took me to a piano recital where I heard a splendid performance of a set of variations by Franz Liszt based on themes of Niccolo Paganini's 24 Caprices, Opus 1, for Violin.
In the 19th century, it was common practice for composers to 'borrow' thematic material from one another and Liszt was no exception, borrowing from J.S. Bach to his peers. This set, begun in 1838 and published in 1841, is entitled Six Etudes d'Execution Transcendante d'apres Paganini.  Number five, subtitled 'La Chasse' (imitating sounds of flutes and hunting horns) is the inspiration for this little set of variations.
The practice of borrowing continues.”
-Dennis Hugh Avey