For someone who knew at the tender age of 11 that few things gave him as much joy as listening to the violin, it won't be wrong to say that Massimo Quarta has devoted his life to nurturing his bond with the instrument. Considered one of the most important Italian violinists of his generation, Quarta's music had begun to resonate with connoisseurs in his country early on in his career. But the musician earned international acclaim in 1991, when he won the Paganini competition, held in honour of Niccolo Paganini, one of the pioneers of the modern violin technique. Along with fellow Italian and pianist Simonetta Tancredi, the two will perform in their maiden concert in Mumbai tonight. Edited excerpts from an interview:

Pic/Daniele Cruciani