Paganini was one of the few important nineteenth century composers who wrote for the guitar, though he always paired it in his scores with the violin or other string instruments. He wrote two sets of six sonatas for violin and guitar (Opp. 2 & 3; 1805), for example, and several sets of quartets for violin, viola, cello, and guitar, one of which (1818-1820) contained 15 works. That said, the guitar is not usually given a primary role in these compositions and certainly not in this charming duet. The music in the Duetto amoroso represents a dialogue between two lovers, but with the violin portraying both the male and female protagonists. The work begins in a chipper mood with a violin theme that is jaunty and full of optimism, the guitar playing mostly patterns of repeating rhythmic figures in accompaniment. A second theme follows that has a more romantic, more passionate quality in its yearning manner. Thereafter, the music becomes somewhat episodic, as it stops after each pair of exchanges between the lovers and then starts up again. The writing for the violin is brilliant and colorful, while that for the guitar remains strictly subordinate in providing only harmonic and rhythmic support. In the end, there is much variety here, but also a fantasy-like character that gives the music a seemingly less-tidy structure.

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