In 1819, Ricordi editions published for the first time the 24 Caprices for violin by Niccolo Paganini, a concentration of extreme technical difficulties which would inspire a large number of composers such as Schumann, Liszt, Brahms or Rachmaninov ... Vladimir Cosma has already enriched the concerto repertoire of mandolin with the Concerto Mediterraneo for mandolin and orchestra, the Fantasia concertante for mandolin and strings, the popular Suite for mandolin and accordion, the Triptych for plectrum quartet and the 16 Duets for mandolin and guitar , composed between 2015 and 2018. The 24 Caprices in concert are devoted to the mandolin alone, which present a unique ensemble devoted to the instrument, by its proportions, its ambition both virtuoso and expressive. Dedicated, like the pages already cited, to Vincent Beer-Asker, the work is intended as a tribute and a reference to the 24 Caprices for solo violin (1820) by Niccol Paganini (1782-1840). The 24 Caprices in concert , composed in 2018, are presented as an organized whole, a cycle whose design is eminently personal. Each whim is complementary to those who frame it, and the succession of tones, tempos , nuances responds to this need for global architecture which makes the work not just a collection of interchangeable numbers, but a continuous progression whose each step feeds the next. Each caprice takes on the name of a character or the theme of a film for which Vladimir Cosma wrote the music, such as the 24th caprice taken from the tall blond with a black shoe. Humor, brilliance, lightness of tone which in no way contradicts the musical density, these are the main axes of this page full of alacrity which crowns this unique cycle, called to become a touchstone of the repertoire devoted to the instrument .
