Nigel Kennedy at the BBC

[ardcarp]

Has the film been discussed anywhere?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04w0fyx/nigel-kennedy-at-the-bbc

Despite all the rubbish, his playing of the Bruch concerto in his teens was both superb and touching. And to hear him talk posh......

[french frank]

Thanks for highlighting this, arders. Deeply impressive without reservation. The psychological angle is also fascinating - almost as if, as he grew older, he wanted to bring all his experiences into his music-making - from the [entire!] world of football to jazz.

[Old Grumpy]

Just watched this - thanks for bring it to the board's attention. Most interesting survey of his life and music.


OG

Edit: This is also available on iplayer.

[ardcarp]

One of my grand-daughters, when she was little, always had to have The Lark Ascending playing to send her off to sleep. I think Kennedy's playing of it (e.g. with the CBSO, not that awful twangy piano arrangement shown on the film) is pretty much unsurpassable.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

i watched this just after his Vivaldi prom and was led to the thought that Mr Kennedy assembles music across time and space [geography] in wonderful bricollage performances that have grown in boldness as his Aston Villa punk persona has emerged and he has abandoned formal purism .... and also that he is a magnificent show off at the Proms - loved his duet with the first violin in the lollipop piece ....

imho it is not rubbish ....

[Old Grumpy]

imho it is not rubbish ....

[ardcarp]

I admire him for for ploughing his own distinctive furrow. Perhaps 'rubbish' was a strong word. Watching the teenager with Stephane Grappelli was a delight ...but punk+electric violin was a step too far for me. A personal thing.

[subcontrabass]

One of my grand-daughters, when she was little, always had to have The Lark Ascending playing to send her off to sleep. I think Kennedy's playing of it (e.g. with the CBSO, not that awful twangy piano arrangement shown on the film) is pretty much unsurpassable.

Would that be RVW's original version (which he subsequently arranged for orchestra)?