There is not a great deal known about the violinist, teacher and composer Edward Mollenhauer (1827–1914) from Erfurt. However, two of his compositions virtually immortalized him: the fantasia The Infant Paganini as well as the somewhat more difficult sister work The Boy Paganini. Both are played with great enthusiasm by young violinists all over the world. Both compositions present a sparkling display of beautiful melodies and brilliant idiomatic figurations which are effective without being too difficult.