In reviewing Vol. 1 of this mini-series (Naxos, 5/95) I defined the Centone di sonate as charming, violin-dominated two-movement works, well suited to (if not intended for) salon entertainment. Truth to tell, they are not the kind of works which impel one to listen to them at one sitting – one disc at a time will be enough for anyone except the most devoted aficionado of Paganini’s violinistic voice or of hearing the guitar in an unremittingly subservient though genuinely complementary role. Others may be glad to have the integral set (Vol. 3 will be released later in the year) from which to compile their own interludes of happy and relaxed pleasure. These splendid performances on modern instruments make no claim to ‘authentic’ status, but they are no less appealing for that. They squeeze every last drop from the music with (inauthentically) full sound, and a Siamese-twin tightness of ensemble that was probably rare amongst those who played these works in Paganini’s own time. No more need be said, save that the recording is lifelike.'