Yngwie Malmsteen shared his thoughts on musical competition in a recent interview with Metal Magnitude.
“Music is not a sport,” Malmsteen stated when asked about guitar competition. “It’s a funny thing though, because it’s not unique to this era.”
“In the early 1800s, there was a period called the Virtuosa era. Niccolo Paganini and some other musicians, mostly pianists, were sort of like in a competition, which is weird also,” he explained. “Then, of course, in rock and roll era, it’s always been the guitar player. It’s always been like that, and I don’t really understand that. I don’t take part in that. I just do what I do.”
This statement reinforces Malmsteen’s long-standing position on individual artistry over competitive aspects of music.
Malmsteen’s reference to Paganini’s era draws an interesting historical parallel to modern musical rivalries.
Research published by Britannica revealed Paganini as a central figure in the competitive music scene of the 1800s. His extraordinary violin technique and innovative compositions revolutionized violin playing.
Documentation from Agertus History of Music highlighted Paganini’s intense rivalries with musicians Charles Philippe Lafont and Louis Spohr. These competitions exemplified the competitive nature Malmsteen now criticizes.
Historical records from ASO show that Paganini’s most significant impact stemmed from his compositions. His ’24 Caprices for Solo Violin’ continues to influence musicians across genres today.
This enduring legacy of artistic innovation over competition mirrors Malmsteen’s philosophy. His focus remains on individual creative expression rather than musical rivalries.
