Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

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

1. Allegro ma non troppo

2. Larghetto

3. Rondo. Allegro

 

Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D, K218

(Cadenzas: Nigel Kennedy)

4. Allegro (Cadenza with Michal Baranski)

5. Andante cantabile (Cadenza with Michal Baranski)

6. Rondeau

 

7. Horace Silver (arr. Kennedy): Creepin' In 

 

*cadenza performed on Guarneri del Gesù "La Fonte" violin, c. 1735

**cadenza performed on customised Violectra 5-stringed electric violin

 

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’s no question about the calibre of these recordings… It’s a tribute to his outstanding career”

Classic FM Magazine, April 2006, on “Inner Thoughts” 3310492

 

“As a soloist, he phrases with dash and poetry, his interpretations brimming with uncommon character.”

Billboard magazine (US), 27th January 2001, on Bach Concertos 5570162

 

“Music’s trendiest fiddler in casual mode, sometimes cheeky, sometimes serene… Kennedy is both gipsy and jazzer… He knows what he’s doing and does it well.”

Gramophone, December 1999, on Classic Kennedy 5568902

 

EMI 3953732