Long before Robert Johnson ever went down to the crossroads, violinist & composer Niccolo Paganini was rumored to have
sold his soul to the devil in exchange for musical ability.
Evidence against this theory: Paganini's 5th Caprice actually
prevented the devil from
stealing The Karate Kid's soul (the devil settled for stealing Ralph Macchio's career instead).
Evidence in favor of this theory: When played on acoustic guitar, the virtuosity in his 24th Caprice really
seems supernaturally inspired. Just
take a look at this youtube video of this young girl playing it on a classical guitar or listen to
this version of Carmina Burana arranged for solo banjo.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Paganini%20ingres&sa=N&tab=wi
The Violinist Niccolò Paganini
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1819
Pencil, 298 x 218 mm
Musée du
Louvre, Paris