Caprice No. 16 (Paganini)

Caprice number 16 is one of Niccolò Paganini's famous 24 Caprices. As a caprice, the 16th caprice in G minor, although notated in triple time meter, consists of a continuous legato of 16th notes until its conclusion. The caprice contains syncopated accentuated fortissimo. The caprice lasts approximately 1 and a half minutes.

Structure

First Part

The first part shows the theme, requiring a player's ability of right-hand and left-hand bow control as it consists of arpeggios using either alternate adjacent strings or string jumping. The former requires the player the mastery of upper register, as it is difficult to control especially with the distance. The latter on the other hand requires the performer to master string skipping, where a player jumps from one string to another, rapidly over adjacent positions. The over-all required technique is detache.

Second Part

The second part is continuous —the earlier part is a consequent passage. The next area differentiates itself by the continued use of a quieter feel, with chromatic passages executed in slur phrases. By analysis, the second part is smorzando legato. It returns with a series of up and down arpeggios and scales increasing in intensity until the caprice's conclusion. The caprice appears to be brief since its entire length is executed in presto.