There are artists you hear once and never forget — not because of flamboyant showmanship, but because their sound etches itself into memory with sincerity and grace. Tomás Cotik is one such artist — a violinist whose name stays with you long after the last note fades. With over twenty albums, millions of streams worldwide, and two International Classical Music Awards nominations, Cotik has built a legacy rooted in mastery and emotion. His discography, spanning the complete works of Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Telemann, and his fellow Argentine genius Astor Piazzolla, reads like a map of musical devotion. Add to that performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and stages across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and you understand why critics at Gramophone and Fanfare laud his “joyful virtuosity” and “consistently brilliant” artistry.
His latest release, Paganini: Sonata a preghiera, Op. 24, MS 23 (Moses Fantasy), is a marvel of expressive precision — a project where Cotik not only interprets Paganini’s fire but also humanizes it. The album’s selection, featuring the iconic 24 Caprices alongside works like Cantabile, Op. 17, and the Moses Fantasy, feels less like a showcase of technical feats and more like a spiritual dialogue between artist and composer.
“Cantabile, Op. 17, MS 109 (Version for Violin & Piano)”
The album opens with a lyrical embrace — a tender interplay between violin and piano that feels intimate and meditative. Cotik’s phrasing glides effortlessly, balancing warmth and restraint. Each note breathes, revealing his understanding that true virtuosity lies in patience, not speed.
“24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1, MS 25”
Across the eighteen selected caprices, Cotik reimagines Paganini not as a showman, but as a poet of strings.
In No. 6 in G Minor “The Trill”, his bow sings with crystalline control — the trills shimmer like light on water.
No. 1 in E Major “L’arpeggio” bursts with cascading arpeggios that sound impossibly fluid, yet emotionally grounded.
No. 9 “La chasse” and No. 13 “The Devil’s Laughter” reveal Cotik’s playful side, his tone agile and full of wit, making the violin almost speak.
The haunting No. 16 in G Minor showcases tension and release — Cotik allows the melody to ache before soaring again.
In No. 24 in A Minor, the album’s emotional summit, Cotik’s phrasing turns introspective, his technique dazzling but never self-serving. Every passage radiates his respect for the music’s structure and soul.
“Mosè-fantasia, Op. 24, MS 23 (Version for Violin & Piano)”
The title track — Paganini’s “Moses Fantasy” — is the album’s spiritual centerpiece. Here, Cotik becomes a storyteller. His violin whispers and weeps, carrying the biblical gravitas of Moses’ prayer while maintaining Paganini’s operatic flair. What stands out is the dialogue between vulnerability and virtuosity — the phrasing feels like a confession set to strings. The piano accompaniment supports without overshadowing, giving the piece a sacred intimacy. Every double-stop and high harmonic is delivered with reverence, not bravado.
The album’s production is immaculate — the recording quality crisp yet warm, allowing Cotik’s tone to bloom naturally. The microphone placement captures the subtle grit of bow on string, making the listening experience tactile and human. There’s no over-polishing, no artifice — just the violin in its truest form. The piano accompaniments are balanced with sensitivity, complementing Cotik’s expressive palette.
With this release, Tomás Cotik reaffirms his place among the most refined interpreters of the violin repertoire. What’s remarkable is his ability to strip Paganini of his reputation for showmanship and reveal the composer’s heart — an artist searching for transcendence through sound.
Cotik’s interpretation of Paganini: Sonata a preghiera, Op. 24 isn’t just an exhibition of skill — it’s a meditation, a dialogue, and at times, a prayer. Few artists manage to make such demanding music feel so alive, so utterly human. He’s a name I’ll always remember — not just for his exquisite technique, but for the way he turns virtuosity into storytelling. This album isn’t just heard; it’s felt.
Listen to the album on Spotify
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