i too am a fan of nigel kennedy , but this recording doesnt do anything for me though as ever it is exceptionaly well played...but the combination of "modern" bits in among the classical music only distracts me..i like one or the other but if you are more adventurous than me,i highly recomend it!
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Mlynarski and Karlowicz, both forgotten for years even in their own country, recently picked up by Kennedy. It had to be a reason that Kennedy felt such a commitment for them: the beauty of their music. In particular, Karlowicz's concerto - a splendid match with following Chopin's nocturnes. Great enjoyment.
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Although not having any classical music training, nor the ability to write a critical analysis, all I can say is that from the opening notes to the closing chord I was absolutely captivated.
It's a hypnotic collection of pieces which simply draw you into following their every turn, step, phrase and passage. The melodies are haunting and indeed sinuous, sensual, emotive...you really can't avoid flowing with them.
The technical aspects mean nothing to me other than I have a deep appreciation for the work and energy of Kennedy as well his phenomenal ability to make me want hear again and again whatever he does - be it jazz, Hendrix and now this.
I agree with the others - it's a must have, but not a shelf filler. This shows up ... Read More:
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I think that anybody questioning Kennedy's ability should spend a few hours viewing him on YouTube - or better still, in concert. He has quite understandably been hailed as the world's greatest musical performer by some. I admit that the Blue Note Sessions are quite laid-back, but having seen some of the material performed live by Kennedy only five days ago at Ronnie Scott's Jazz club in London, and having purchased this particular album, I can only say that my respect for Kennedy grows almost daily. Nobody should even begin to question Kennedy's genre-crossing abilities. I doubt anybody except Kennedy could pull off the performance at the Brits classics awards that can be viewed on YouTube. His abilities are stunning. Watching him perform the Blue ... Read More:
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Jimi would have loved this! Nigel Kennedy has once again shown how broad his taste and love of music stretch. Wonderful interpretations of Hendrix classics - you are taken away on a journey of utter brilliance and artistic virtuosity - I can't recommend this enough!
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Elgar played the violin himself, and this concerto is his greatest gift to his fellow violinists. When he composed the work in 1909 and 1910, there were already many concertos that gave room for virtuosic playing. Elgar did something different: he created a score that does not so much show what the violin can do as reveal all that it can say.
Here the solo violin yearns, rejoices, pleads and consoles, and then, in one of the most original cadenzas ever written for any instrument, it takes up many of the previous themes and views each familiar melody in an utterly new way. Basil Maine, Elgar's first biographer, said it best when he remarked that most cadenzas call for the soloist to step into the limelight. Elgar instead asks the player to ... Read More:
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Ok, when i first buy my cd i always drift through it, listen to the song with a gd start and gain a first impression. First impressions weren't good. so i left it a couple of weeks and decided to listen to it again, this time the whole way through. thinking i didn't like it i was pretty reluctant to do so, but i did and i was shocked, shocked at how i had completely missed coldplays aim. to create a quility album which isn't too full on. every song is brilliant in its own way, hardly any of the songs are the same but they are all great. if coldplay havn't been your thing in the past give them another go, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Jimborogers
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