RIP Michael Kennedy 19.2.26 - 31.12.14

[Once Was 4]

If I may make a respectful comment.

The Job was recorded by the 'English Northern PHILHARMONIA' which was the name given to the Opera North Orchestra for its concert and recording activities up until the early noughties. I remember a meeting when the then Musical Director, Paul Daniel, talked about changing it and suggested an alternative. I, as the all-powerful Musicians Union steward at the time, pointed out that his suggestion (not too far removed from the one eventually adopted) gave a rather unfortunate acronym. This was at the time when several of the regional orchestras (Opera North included) had spoof staff newsletters in circulation and it would have made a prime, and irreverent, title for that.

The Northern Sinfonia is, of course, the Newcastle-based orchestra and the only connection between the two is that some of the personnel of both orchestras, from time-to-time, would deputise or work as extra players in the other - I myself played in several concerts and recordings with the Newcastle orchestra over the years. I am not sure if this is still the case.

I was in the horn section for most of the Lloyd-Jones and Daniel English Northern Philharmonia recordings including the Job.

Mindful of the passing of that great champion of English music, Michael Kennedy, I decided to pay tribute tonight and have played the following:-
Elgar Cockaigne Philharmonia/Barbirolli (EMI)

Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis Sinfonia of London/Barbirolli
Vaughan Williams Job English Northern Sinfonia/Lloyd-Jones
Walton facade Suite no. 1 CBSO/Fremaux
Elgar Symphony No. 1 Halle/Barbirolli (Kings Lynn Festival ‘live’ July 1970) BBC Legends
This latter still is my favourite recorded performance of Elgar’s first; tonight I found it profoundly moving and I suspect MK would have too. It’s eloquence, passion and understanding of the idiom was matched by Kennedys writing on Elgar and Barbirolli, so it seems a fitting tribute to two masters, one of words and one of music.
RIP you both.

[aeolium]

Grauniad obituary of MK by Barry Millington:

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/14/michael-kennedy

[french frank]

Grauniad obituary of MK by Barry Millington:

http://www.theguardian.com/music/201...ichael-kennedy

Excellent obit (well done, Graun - take note!!!). Makes you want to order every book of his, the idea of kindness and generosity mixed with real critical insight is very appealing.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Makes you want to order every book of his, the idea of kindness and generosity mixed with real critical insight is very appealing.

Not at all a bad idea (I have them all except the Walton) - lovely prose, too, communicating the many insights with a lightness of touch which takes you back to the Music again and again.

[VodkaDilc]

Not at all a bad idea (I have them all except the Walton) - lovely prose, too, communicating the many insights with a lightness of touch which takes you back to the Music again and again.

I've just checked my bookshelves and, as I thought, I have a good few of his books: Elgar, Walton, VW, Britten, Boult, Mahler and the Oxford Dictionary. It's not mentioned in the Guardian, but I think he also wrote an "Elgar Revisited" book a few years ago.

I think I was always aware of his work, since his interests so often coincided with mine. He must also have written hundreds of booklet notes on records and CDs. A wonderful inspirational writer.

[Barbirollians]

I've just checked my bookshelves and, as I thought, I have a good few of his books: Elgar, Walton, VW, Britten, Boult, Mahler and the Oxford Dictionary. It's not mentioned in the Guardian, but I think he also wrote an "Elgar Revisited" book a few years ago.

I think I was always aware of his work, since his interests so often coincided with mine. He must also have written hundreds of booklet notes on records and CDs. A wonderful inspirational writer.

Absolutely , a man whose musical judgment I trusted entirely . I bought a great deal of records on his recommendation and cannot recall one where I disagreed with his assessment or regretted the purchase . I note EA's response for example to the Horst Stein account of the Alpensinfonie that MK praised to the skies in Gramophone.

The Barbirolli bio is well worth reading , affectionate but not hagiographical .

[EdgeleyRob]

Heads up for RVW fans and admirers of Michael Kennedy.

A Road all Paved with Stars.

This is a symphonic rhapsody that composer Adrian Williams has put together from The Poisoned Kiss (sponsored by the Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust) and dedicated to the memory of Michael Kennedy

BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting it this coming Tuesday July 7 as part of Afternoon on Three.

http://www.albionrecords.org/coming_soon.html