Pam Harris, age 17, of Grand Forks, N.D., for her question:

WHO WAS PAGANINI?

Niccolo Paganini is considered by many musical experts to be one     12 3 of the greatest violinists of all time. He is also regarded as one of history's greatest composers.

Paganini was born 200 years ago in Genoa, Italy, in 1782. He made his concert debut when he was only nine years old.

At the age of 13, Paganini started to compose pieces for the violin. He wrote 24 caprices for violin, two concertos for violin and orchestra and a famous number called "Moto Perpetuo" or "Perpetual Motion."

Also from the age of 13 Paganini enjoyed one triumphant concert tour after another. He played quiet melodies so beautifully that many in his audiences often burst into tears.

Paganini could perform with such force and speed that a fantastic story started to circulate that he was in league with the Devil, who guided his bow. Others said that he looked like a magician and his playing justified his looks.

Paginini's Guarnieri violin was left to the city of Genoa and it is there today in a museum.