Nigel Kennedy and Vivaldi

[doversoul1]

Why on earth should he give a toss about this nonsense ...... "concert gear" etc etc

But why does he so insistent on looking or behaving in the way that ensures to attract attention if music is all that matters to him?

The musicians I know who have worked with him have nothing but praise

What does this tell other than some or many people have nothing but praise? An awful lot of people have nothing but praise for [choose a name].

Music isn't necessarily divided into the boxes you suggest... "standard repertoire" "Hendrix stuff" etc ..... Hendrix IS "standard repertoire"

Nigel Kennedy does seem to make use of the idea that music is divided into boxes which can be deliberately mixed up to create a useful (for whatever) effect.

Why doesn’t he just behave naturally (Oops. Sorry, a wrong word )

[MrGongGong]

But why does he so insistent on looking or behaving in the way that ensures to attract attention if music is all that matters to him?

Why does it matter to other people what he chooses to look like?

It seems a bit pathetic to me that some folks are more concerned with what his hair looks like than the sound he makes
I guess it makes a change for a man to be treated like this ?

Nigel Kennedy does seem to make use of the idea that music is divided into boxes

I don't think (and I don't know him so can't ask)that he does this at all
more that he chooses to play the music he is interested in regardless of the box

There's nothing "natural" about playing the violin in the first place

[Conchis]

To clarify a bit....

Although I've never attended a Kennedy 'gig', someone I know went to photograph one of his concerts at Birmingham Symphony Hall. The audience were, for the most part, 'standard concertgoers' - late middle-aged, predominantly male, etc, etc. The concert didn't start on time - par for the course with rock gigs but seriously fazing for classical audiences. The crowd began to get 'restive' and before too long, a lot of barracking and slow-handclapping began and when NK finally took the stage, there was a 'confrontational' atmosphere in the Hall.

Maybe Nige sees himself as doing for classical music what Bob Dylan did for rock music in the mid-sixties?

[Cockney Sparrow]

A long time ago I bought tickets to hear him play at Buxton Opera House at my only visit to the Festival there. It was one of his (early, I suppose) Jazz / not classical forays and it was the pits.

But he has been consistent with his bruvv lingo, his dress code and football, other musical personas. I listened to his Maida Vale session on Radio 4 recently and he shows due respect to works such as the Elgar, so he is, in my book a serious artist. There are occasions where I just shut my eyes and appreciate hearing music, live, and I would be prepared to do that if I heard him play the Elgar, Beethoven Concerto live.

Following the mention above, I listened to that recording of the Elgar Violin Sonata (Naxos Music Lib, via the library membership) and yes, it was very good to hear...

[MrGongGong]

Maybe Nige sees himself as doing for classical music what Bob Dylan did for rock music in the mid-sixties?

I don't think so
Nigel Kennedy is a great violinist whereas Dylan is a poet who is at best a mediocre singer and guitarist

[Flosshilde]

I have to confess that I find Nige's antics and image a bit distracting/alienating/gimmicky. All of this informs my mindset when I listen to a performance by him (which I'm not, generally, that inclined to do).

Even when you can't see him - eg when you're listening to a CD?

What about all the other performers who record wearing casual clothes - jumpers, jeans, tee-shirts, etc? Are you put off by those? Do you expect studio opera recordings to be made by singers in full costume?

[Beef Oven!]

I don't think so
Nigel Kennedy is a great violinist whereas Dylan is a poet who is at best a mediocre singer and guitarist

Mediocre? Are you having a laugh!!?

[MrGongGong]

Mediocre? Are you having a laugh!!?

No Dylan is a really sh*te guitarist and singer
but I was trying to be polite

He is good with words BUT that's NOT music IMV

[Beef Oven!]

No Dylan is a really sh*te guitarist and singer
but I was trying to be polite

He is good with words BUT that's NOT music IMV

No need to be polite, tell it like it is

[teamsaint]

Eh? I thought gongers was an ex punk ?
What on earth has being a " good singer "or good guitarist got to do with anything?

[Conchis]

For what it's worth, Keith Richards (an OK guitarist) considers Dylan a 'very underrated' acoustic player.