"Pavel Sporcl explains: 'Paganini was the best - a magician of the violin. Violin technique and the way we play today are largely due to Paganini.' Paganini's influence continues with Josef Slavfk's Caprice, in what is a world premiere recording, In his day, the Bohemian violinist (1806-1833) was often com pared to Paganini. The only serious contender to the virtuoso crown in Paganini's lifetime was Heinrich Ernst (1814-1865), with his variations on Last Rose of Summer. Nathan Milstein (1904-1992) was one of the greatest violin­ists of the 20th century. As a tribute to Paganini he wrote his Paganiniana. These variations include the theme of the 24th Caprice, and from the other caprices, too. Sporcl plays his own variations on 'Where is my horneland?', a theme composed in 1834, which became the Czech na­tional anthem in 1918. Alfred Schnittk e ( 1934-1998) is the most modern composer included, with his tribute, A Paganini. The only non-violinist here, he wrote many great works for violin. Of all the violinists here, Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) was the least virtuosic. His Recitative and Scherzo, which he dedicated to violinist Eugene Ysaye, makes a lovely encore in the Romantic style. Finally, by way of bonus, Sporcl plays the cadenza for Paganini's Viol in Concerto in D m ajar, written by Jan K ubelfk ( 1880-1940)."