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Review
Nigel Kennedy has carved out a reputation as a loudmouth and a fantastic violin maestro, which even those with no knowledge of classical music will be familiar with. His decision to work with Polish klezmer trio Kroke might seem surprising until you learn that his wife is Polish and he spends a lot of time in Kraków, where they have a house. He's also the Artistic Director of the Polish Chamber Orchestra. Even so, Kroke already have their own virtuoso violinist, Tomasz Kukurba, so the idea of them collaborating with Kennedy might seem like over-egging the pudding. Fortunately Kukurba also plays a mean viola, and it's this and his flutes that he sticks to for most of the album's duration.
Accordionist Jerzy Bawol and double bass player provide inspired though unshowy support and Kukurba often gracefully shadows Kennedy in harmony or counterpoint, as on the exquisitely refined version of the well known Roma anthem "Ederlezi", which was featured in the film The Time Of The Gypsies. The effect is bittersweet as opposed to saccharine, which it might have become in the hands of lesser players.
Kennedy's performance as lead violinist is in no way overcooked, even on his one solo piece "Lost In Time", although the three that feature his electric instrument may prove a little testing for some.
Nevertheless, he seems to have got under the skin of the tunes, several of which long-term Kroke fans will recognise. For starters, there's the Balkan-style piece "Ajde Jano", which appeared in instrumental form on Kroke's debut. Here it's sung in Serbo-Croat by Natasha Atlas and makes for an unexpected intro. The only other vocals (which bring to mind those of French maverick Magic Malik) are Kukurba's non-verbal falsetto wails on another number recycled from the extensive Kroke songbook, "Time 4 Time". Another key track is "One Voice", a showcase for the three widely varying violin styles of Kennedy, Kukurba and guest violinist Aboud Abdoul Aal.
The balance of upbeat and reflective material is well judged and sequenced. It's also nice to hear Kroke once again playing to their strengths - that is to say the adaptation of traditional material or compositions strongly based in a tradition something they seemed to have all but abandoned on their previous and rather lacklustre outing, Ten Pieces To Save The World. Needless to say, Kennedy has already released his next project -another raid on Vivaldi's archives. --Jon Lusk
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Nigel Kennedy inspires a wide range of responses in people, from great admiration to downright disapprobation. However, with this album you should set aside whatever you think of him. He doesn't impose himself on the Kroke Band at all - he merely soars above their fabulous eastern harmonies and textures in the appropriate places and vanishes when he is no longer needed; he compliments their music, rather than imposing himself upon it. If you are a fan, however, there is still lots to enjoy - you can sit back and admire his wonderful tone, particularly in the upper registers of the instrument where he really shines.
As soon as I heard a burst of this album on Radio Three, I knew that it was a real must-have; in fact, it is completely addictive. I cannot praise this disc enough - it will be on my stereo all summer.
As soon as I heard a burst of this album on Radio Three, I knew that it was a real must-have; in fact, it is completely addictive. I cannot praise this disc enough - it will be on my stereo all summer.
45 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
East is East is a fabulous collection of tracks. I first heard clip on Radio 4 just having returned from several days in Krakow where I spent time at Auschwitz and Birkenau and wandering around the old Jewish quarter of Kamierz. I was immediately struck by all kinds of memory and thoughts. I had just been in pre-World War feel restaurants in Krakow's main square, such as the famous Hawelka, and the atmosphere is well-preserved here in this cd, bringing with it the sadness of the vast plain traversed in either direction over centuries by Mongols, Tartars, Russians, and Germans between Vienna, Berlin, Kiev and beyond. The music is a wonderful mix of the Continental market-café style, East European Gypsy harmonies, and Jewish-Arabic quarter-tone. I had, too, just read Paul Celan's famous Todesfuge, a major theme of which is the dance music played by prisoners accompanying victims of the Holocaust while working and dying: 'He shouts dig this earth deeper you others sing up and play ... stick your spades deeper you lot there you others play on for the dancing'. Having been to Auschwitz, this great poem added for me a deep melancholic sense to the tracks particularly track 11, which is the outstanding one. Called 'Time 4 Time', it veers in and out of an Eastern quarter-tone melody but at the same time does something analogous in the rhythm - abruptly and brilliantly - before changing key and resolving tonally through the most unexpected and beautiful key changes. Sadness and joy. Think Bartok Rumanian dances, Continental café piano accordion, Jewishness, Polish village life, and all the land down and round to the Middle East. Nigel Kennedy plays unpretentiously and flawlessly. He has a genius for crossing boundaries, - like Paul Simon in South Africa - and listening to this music is an education in musical scale, the joy of melancholy, and the crossing of national, racial and geographical boundaries.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was introduced to this work by a cousin of respected taste. It is addictive! I was immediately reminded of the collaboration between Yehudi Menuin and Ravi Shankar, the results of which I first heard as a teenager 30+ years ago, (see East Meets West, available from Amazon).
Music is a universal language with each civilisation adding dialect. Nigel Kennedy has once again proved his versatility by adding another dialect to his knowledge of the language. Whatever the origins of the pieces, over which there is some contention, he has complemented the Kroke Band in order to produce a unique interpretation. You must hear this at least twice!
Music is a universal language with each civilisation adding dialect. Nigel Kennedy has once again proved his versatility by adding another dialect to his knowledge of the language. Whatever the origins of the pieces, over which there is some contention, he has complemented the Kroke Band in order to produce a unique interpretation. You must hear this at least twice!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
beyond beauty
This is one of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard In my life, together with 'the doors concerto' This album makes you want to dance, and will make you want to cry (in a... Read more
Published 5 months ago by S. C. Clarke
East Meets East - Nigel Kennedy and Kroke
The best CD I've bought in years. Haunting melodies, superb musicianship and many stand out tracks (Ajde Jano, Lullaby for Kamila, Kazimierz and Time 4 Time). Read more
Published 10 months ago by John B
East Meets East
This is a brilliant CD with Nigel Kennedy and the Kroke Band. I first owned it as a Cassette tape which was eaten by the player in my car. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sue
Traditional Music
I have watched Nigel Kennedy perform with the Polish Orchestra some years ago and really enjoyed the evening. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. Fuller
Nigel Kennedy and Kroke
This album contains some of the finest Klezmer music competently played by classical and jazz violinist Nigel Kennedy together with Polish ensemble, Kroke. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr Kelvin S Taylor
A lovely reminder of my visit to Kracow
I travelled to Kracow a few years ago and visited the old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, where I heard Klezmer music being played in a Jewish restaurant. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Christine H
East Meets East
Fanastic mix of eastern European/middle Eastern type folky music. The band sound like they're really enjoying themselves on the upbeat numbers and great resistance is needed to... Read more
Published 22 months ago by niddynoddy
Cross Over - c'mon you can do it!
A Customer wrote the archetypal concise review of this back in 2003. All I can add is that classical music aficionados who are fans of Nigel Kennedy should splash the cash on this... Read more
Published 23 months ago by JayJayDee
East meets West
Not only is Nigel Kennedy a brilliant violin player but combined with the haunting music of the East and the Kroke band, this CD is totally different.
Published on 3 May 2009 by Mrs. M. A. Parker
Beautiful and moving music
I absolutely love this jewish music group from Krakow and the addition of Nigel Kennedy makes for a very interesting and rewarding combination. Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2008 by Ambient silence
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