TRANSMISSION ART ARCHIVE
Paganini's Last Testament
1989
Jon Rose
An outrageous musical play for radio constructed from a series of imaginary documents about the legendary composer and violinist, Paganini. "I've taken what may or may not be true and definitely put it in an area of my own choosing. I've turned him into a religious guru, with people attending his concerts to be cured of diseases and find enlightenment. I edited it together with a lot of Southern Baptist radio material like faith healing. So that the program became not about Paganini, but about people believing in what they want to believe." (the artist). In Rose's work the violin plays a speaking part. Violin, ten string double violin, baby megaphone violin, nineteen string cello and amplified bow are all played by Rose. Produced for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.