Paganini was an awesome composer and violinist. But his music was very non-conventional, often imitating animals or even lovers. He invented not one, but several, new techniques for the violin. His music was considered obscene by the church, and sharply criticized by numerous experts at the time. It was sometimes uncomfortable to listen to -- it's still strange and alien sounding. Paganini is not only technically difficult, it requires vastly more musical interpretation from the performer than most pieces. Paganini must be felt, not simply mechanically performed.