Paganini's Valtz in A Major M.S. 80 is a short but appealing composition with a tripartite structure. The piece is part of a larger group of pieces meant for entertainment, like the Divertimenti carnevaleschi M.S. 4 (which also includes the “Quattro Valzer”) and the Alessandrine, Valtz e Inglesi found in M.S. 137, compositions from Paganini's juvenile period intended for the “Festone dei Giustiniani,” held in a building in Genova's historical centre.

The present critical edition, which should help to complete the variegated collection of works for solo violin, is based on the autograph source held in the Biblioteca Casanatense of Rome.