It is good to have these older recordings of the 24 Paganini caprices, plus the additional "Caprice d'adieu," back in the catalog again (on the Alto label, # ALC 1077). The late Ruggiero Ricci provided my initial introduction to virtuoso violin music 'way back in the mid-20th century, and provided countless moments of musical enjoyment and wonderment. Today I still find his performances of these challenging pieces to be excellent listening, in spite of a number of recordings by fine contemporary artists in modern digital sound. If you remember and love Ricci's pioneering performances of this literature, I recommend you consider buying this low-priced disk. In spite of its analog sound, it is eminently listenable and artistically satisfying.Ricci (1918-2012) was identified with the Paganini works throughout his long career He was first to record the entire 24 caprices of Opus 1 in their original, unaccompanied form in 1947. (Various composers, including Robert Schumann, have written piano accompaniments for them, but Paganini probably would not have wanted to share the spotlight with an accompanist.) Ricci made several subsequent recordings, as well, and I cannot tell you which of those recordings this disk is taken from, but the liner notes indicate that this recording was licensed from.SPJ/Vox Music Group.Ricci was a child prodigy rather exploited by an ambitious father. He gave his first public performance at age 10, I believe, and played a Mendelssohn Concerto at age 11. (Currently YouTube is featuring one of his child performances, and it is very impressive indeed.) He was attracted early on to the virtuoso literature and before long found a niche as a performer of Paganini's works, especially the Caprices, though he did not want to be pigeonholed as a specialist in Paganini's music. Remarkably prolific as an artist, he is credited with some 5,000 public performances and over 500 recordings. He also was a teacher and mentor for much of his life. His last public performance was in 2003, at about age 85.The Paganini Caprices exploit about all the technical possibilities of the violin, as well as being quite enjoyable musically. By its nature, a caprice is a light-hearted piece intended to win over its listeners with its whimsical charm and pleasant melodies. In reviewing performances of these caprices it is well to keep that in mind. Though the technical difficulties may be daunting, performances must avoid sounding like dry exercises. Ricci largely succeeds in making the pieces sound like music to enjoy as well as to display technical acrobatics.