Nigel Kennedy

Violin

(b Brighton, 28 Dec 1956). "Kennedy," as he chose to be known for a time, is an individualistic and undeniably talented violinist who has emerged as one of the bona fide stars of the rich generation that came of age in the last quarter of the twentieth century. He has made a point of discarding what he sees as the conservative, staid traditions of classical concertmaking, and his personality may be summed up as flamboyant.

He studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Juilliard and made his Festival Hall début with the LPO in 1977, playing in Berlin (1980) and Australia (1981) and touring in the USA (1985). He is specially admired for his playing and recording of the Elgar Concerto and the Vivaldi Seasons, a driving performance that rapidly became a bestseller; he is also known for his playing of jazz and rock.

Ex. VAT prices will be applied automatically for non-EU delivery addresses.
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates.

Kennedy plays Beethoven & Mozart Violin Concertos

Beethoven:

Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

(Cadenzas: movement 1: Fritz Kreisler, Nigel Kennedy)

Mozart:

Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K218

(Cadenzas: Nigel Kennedy with Michal Baranski)

Silver, H:

Creepin’ In

(arr. Kennedy)

Nigel Kennedy (violin & direction)

Polish Chamber Orchestra

For over twenty-five years, Nigel Kennedy has been acknowledged as one of the world's leading violin virtuosos and is one of the most important violinists Britain has ever produced. His virtuosic technique, unique talent and mass appeal have brought fresh perspectives to both the classical and contemporary repertoire. He is the best selling classical violinist worldwide.This album combines his first-ever Mozart recording with a fresh perspective on the Beethoven violin concerto he first recorded in 1992. He collaborates again with the Polish Chamber Orchestra of which he has been Artistic Director since 2002. He directs the orchestra from the violin in both concertos to achieve a more direct communication of the orchestra members and the cadenzas are very much his own. Kennedy says the main reason for re-approaching the Beethoven concerto is that today, he hears the piece as having more rhythmic vitality which he wants to bring out in his new recording, despite still cherishing his first recording with Tennstedt, which he said had a more old-fashioned, romantic approach and was played slower.Listen out for the Mozart cadenza which definitely gives the piece a contemporary edge. It was recorded with his electric violin and Kennedy expresses in it what the concerto means to him personally and wants to open listeners’ minds to change their view of the piece. He has also introduced a harpsichord to the work which adds warmth and gives it even more life.

“There is plenty to enjoy... in Kennedy's inventive performance of Mozart's Fourth Concerto, provided you can take his cadenzas, where he switches to electronic violin and treats Mozartian fragments to jazz riffs with bass player Michal Baranski - a culture shock that may come to seem a tired gimmick on repeated hearings.” The Telegraph, 12th April 2008

“That hallmark attention to detail and line is still there, but it's now coupled with an energy and vitality that springs from his growing interest in jazz. His radical electric violin cadenzas breathe new life into the Mozart concerto in D K218, but purists will hate them.” The Observer, 13th April 2008

“Too wilful to warrant anything like a general recommendation, except to Kennedy fans and the curious.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2008

EMI - 3953732

(CD)

£12.99 (£11.06 ex. VAT)

In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.

Bruch & Mendelssohn - Violin Concertos

Bruch:	Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Mendelssohn:	Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Schubert:	Rondo for violin and strings in A major, D438

Nigel Kennedy (violin)

English Chamber Orchestra, Jeffrey Tate

EMI Recommends - 5181732

(CD)

£6.49 (£5.52 ex. VAT)

In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.

Nigel Kennedy - Polish Spirit

Chopin:

Nocturne No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 9 No. 1

arr. K. Debski

Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9 No. 2

arr. K. Debski

Karlowicz:

Violin Concerto in A major Op. 8

Mlynarski:

Violin Concerto in D major, No. 2, Op. 6

Nigel Kennedy (violin)

Polish Chamber Orchestra, Jacek Kapszyck

“All that designer stubble and estuary English can't disguise the high-class violinist he is.” The Guardian

Gramophone Magazine

Editor's Choice - November 2007

EMI - 3799342

(CD)

£12.99 (£11.06 ex. VAT)

In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.

Sibelius - Symphonies Nos. 1-7

Sibelius:

Symphonies Nos. 1-7 (complete)

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

Nigel Kennedy

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Night Ride and Sunrise, Op. 55

Philharmonia Orchestra

Kuoleme: Scene with cranes

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

The Oceanides, Op. 73

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Simon Rattle

EMI Simon Rattle Edition - 5007532

(CD - 5 discs)

£27.99 (£23.82 ex. VAT)

In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.

Nigel Kennedy - The Platinum Collection

Bruch:	Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Mendelssohn:	Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Vivaldi:	The Four Seasons

Nigel Kennedy (violin)

English Chamber Orchestra

The hugely successful EMI Platinum Collection series continues with three classic best-selling Nigel Kennedy albums - Vivaldi Four Seasons, Classic Kennedy and Bruch & Mendelssohn Violin Concertos - brought together in a special 3CD package.

EMI - 3887732

(CD - 3 discs)

£17.49 (£14.89 ex. VAT)

In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.