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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
What is left to be said, musically, about a work that features on around a hundred recordings in the current UK catalogue alone? In explaining that he has not been "seduced" by the "authentic" movement, Kennedy notes, "In my opinion, if a piece of music belongs only to the time in which it was written, it should not be played today". Thus his approach draws on the entire tradition of violin playing: "Once I've established an instinctive relationship with the music, I need to use every technique I know to communicate that to the listener". Communicate Nigel Kennedy certainly does, bringing a fresh eye to a work over-familiarity has consigned to background music. His "Adagio Molto" from Concerto No. 3 opens with an extraordinary spectral bowing effect, while the following "Allegro" has a zestful percussive snap. His tempos are faster, his rhythms more accentuated and dynamic, his playing more vigorous and involved than we are used to. The effect is startling and exhilarating, making this a Four Seasons to be listened to. Putting the solo instrument once more to the fore, Nigel Kennedy has done us a great service, reminding us that these truly are fine concertos, bringing this vibrant music once more to our attention. --Gary S. Dalkin
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Nigel is of course very entertaining but the whole experience is put down by a so-so recording. Sound quality is a bit dynamically castreted. Look elsewhere for recordings that will show his powerful style in full quality.
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This CD is simply one of the best versions of Vivaldi's most well known work. While it is easy to assume that all recordings of The Four Seasons are much the same (I believe there have been over 150!), this one really brings something new to the party.
Love or loath Kennedy, there's no denying he knows how to use a violin. There are some amazing sounds on this CD, which really add a freshness to a work that is in great danger of being done to death.
One of my "Top 10" classical CDs!
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Vinyl
This CD has Nigel Kennedy as the lead violinist in vivaldi's Four Seasons. I also have Yehudi Menuhin's version of the four seasons but Nigel (Menuhin's pupil) has emotion in his playing that Menuhin does not match. A must have for any string orchestra fan!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic
Excellent, that is the reason for buying this download. I wish he had more publicity as an artist, but living in Poland means we don't get enough of him on our TV's, or in concert.
Published 7 months ago by Geof
The Classical rebel !
I am constantly playing this in the car because I love it so much, other recordings are good but this is just a little bit different, in the Allegro movement of Spring if you... Read more
Published on 18 April 2008 by John Miller
So polished that it is hairless and tasteless
Antonio Vivaldi was a priest, what's more a red-haired one, i.e. quite a marginal in this field of non-religious music, and his music was mostly composed for the orchestra of a... Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2008 by Jacques COULARDEAU
Amazing - What would Vivaldi say!
Amazing - was my first thoughts. I couldn't help wondering what Vivaldi would make of it, if he were sitting here with me in front of my stereo. Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2001 by Mr. D. W. Holbrook
Leave the music alone
There is much fine playing here but sadly a great deal of exaggeration and horrible ornanmentation.
I hated it and gave my copy away . Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2001
Simply the best rendition I've heard.
Simply one of the best renditions of any piece of music I've ever heard. Timeless. I am buying another copy because my cassette tape wore out long ago. Read more
Published on 19 Dec 2000
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