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Minuetto from Sonata Ms 87

Niccolo Paganini

This is a Minuetto from a Sonata by Niccolo Paganini (1782 - 1840).

Although Paganini is mainly known for his violin compositions, he was a reasonably prolific guitar composer as well. 43 Ghiribizzi, 37 (two movement) Sonatas, the well known Grande Sonate and a mixed bag of other works.

This Minuetto is the slow movement from the Sonata in Manuscript 87. In this work it is followed by a much faster and longer Rondo.

I heard a slow performance of this piece and I admit that I liked it quite well, despite the fact that the name of the piece implies a faster approach. Play it in a lyrical and warm tone with clear phrasing and dynamics in the scale passages.

I also would like to add a hint from my teacher: play it consistently in positions, do not change position in the middle of the scales.