Paganini must have composed his Introduction and Variations on "Nel cor più non mi sento" shortly after the famous 24 Caprices; the present work contains all of the techniques showcased in the Caprices, as well as the extensive use of left-hand pizzicati—a technique not utilized in the 24 Caprices, except in a brief passage of the final entry. "Nel cor più non mi sento" is the title of a famous aria from Paisiello's opera La Molinara; Paganini's transcription uses the tune as the basis for seven variations (with an introduction), in the process turning this lyrical gem into a truly virtuosic showpiece for the unaccompanied violin.

The opening statement of the theme immediately announces the nature of the work to follow: Paganini makes the unprecedented move of notating the violin on two staff lines, one for the main theme, and the other for accompaniment, realized entirely in left-hand pizzicati (the inspiration for this move was probably the highly polyphonic Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin of J. S. Bach). The remainder of the piece is fraught with the perils (for the performer, at least) of rapid runs—in thirds, fifths, octaves, and even tenths!—as well as elaborate passages in harmonics, and "spiccati" arpeggios. A successful performance of this devilish work is as exciting as any showpiece out there.

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