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Product Description
Mendelssohn & Bruch: Violin Concertos / Schubert: Rondo in A
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The bottom line with Nigel Kennedy's recording of these two classic concerti if that, if you like his style, you'll love this CD; if you don't, you won't. A full debate about the controversial violinist is well beyond the scope of an Amazon review but, basically, he has done to Mendelssohn and Bruch - the most common pairing of concerti to appear on a single disc - what he has already done for several of the violinist's repertoire, most recently the Four Seasons, which is reinterpret it in his own style. This either involves giving it new freshness and vigour or going totally over the top, depending on which camp you inhabit; there appears to be little or no middle ground.
Personally, I find Kennedy's style enjoyable only in very small doses - he does wring every ounce from the music, but it is rather like having chocolate cake the whole time: occasionally for dessert is nice, but one really wants something savoury for the other courses. One movement I can manage, two whole concerti give me heartburn and hyperglycaemia. So, if you like your classical music in yer face and on the max, this is for you; if not, can I recommend the technically brilliant and subtle Vengerov at less than half the price, the Hugget for those who want to know what it actually sounded like originally (nothing like Nigel, despite any claims to the contrary) or the sadly rare Zuckermann for those who want the definitive versions.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
these violin concertos are among the most popular in the repertoire so it is a crowded field out there. These are early Kennedy but his style doesn't seem to have changed much. He can play prettily enough if he chooses but he seems to generally prefer a cool classical restraint (his playing, which rather belies his behaviour on stage) and purity of intonation over overt emotionalism or rich tonal colour. I find this makes his recordings easy to live with (I exclude his astringently rhythmic Vivaldi from this generalisation) but those who prefer a sweeter heart-on-sleeve approach would no doubt look elsewhere.
For myself, I find his recordings consistently reliable and this one fits with the general pattern.
For myself, I find his recordings consistently reliable and this one fits with the general pattern.
29 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This cd really is a wonder. the mendelssohn and bruch concertos have never received such wonderful treatment as kennedy lavishes, in this all-round flawless cd. the pace of the pieces is just perfect, never rushed but never languid, and the technical skill of kennedy is, as ever, second to none. the intonation is absolutely spot on in all 3 performances. as for expression and tone, in my opinion no-one does it better than kennedy. just listen to the opening bars of the mendelssohn for evidence
those who dismiss kennedy as all image should listen to this and rethink. he really is a violin genius, and theres no clearer indication than on this disc. i cannot recommend it highly enough
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Mendelssohn & Bruch: Violin Concertos / Schubert: Rondo in A
I have recently had my Seraphin (Sanctuc Seraphin: 1699 - c. 1758), reproduction violin sent up to me in my hideaway somewhere above north latitude 59 degrees. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Wilberfalse
Mendelssohn & Bruch
I am assuming that this is as good as my copy but this one has gone to my daughter in law who lives in Brisbane. So am assuming that this is as good.
Published 4 months ago by J. P. Hayes
Reticent and lacking a great orchestra, but Kennedy isn't afraid to...
Going by the album cover, showing that Kennedy prefers looking cool to dressing up, one might expect wild, rebellious playing. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Andrew R. Barnard
jmac
The music is wonderful, and Nigel's performance makes the hairs on the back of my neck sing with the beauty of it!
Published 10 months ago by Janet Edwards
Two clean, clear-cut, transparent, classic
Clear? Utmostly classical if not classic violin playing that is so beautiful that it sounds like a visit at the museum, or, and I am afraid it is how I feel about it, like some... Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2008 by Jacques COULARDEAU
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