Nigel Kennedy

Nigel Kennedy (born December 28, 1956 in Brighton, England) is a violinist and violist. He was a pupil at the Yehudi Menuhin School.

Related Topics:
December 28 - 1956 - Brighton, England - Violin - Violist - Yehudi Menuhin School

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Kennedy has done much to popularise classical music, particularly among young people. He has also performed and recorded most of the major violin concerti.

Related Topics:
Classical music - Violin concerti

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Though his carefully maintained loutish persona is seen by some as abrasive and has limited his career, many respected musicians hold him in high esteem. With one of these, cellist Lynn Harrell, he has recorded a well-received album of duets. Currently, he has been exploring Polish music with the Polish jazz band Kroke. When not touring, he divides his time between residences in Malvern, Worcestershire and Kraków, Poland.

Related Topics:
Cellist - Lynn Harrell - Kroke - Malvern, Worcestershire - Kraków - Poland

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Kennedy expresses concern for the immediate appeal of live performance, and often records entire works or movements in single 'takes' to preserve this sense in his recordings. He also introduces improvisatory elements in his performances, as in his Jimi Hendrix-inspired cadenza to the Beethoven violin concerto and his jazz and fusion recordings.

Related Topics:
Jimi Hendrix - Cadenza - Beethoven - Jazz - Fusion

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