Added: 4 years ago
From: jormundgard
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  • He shouldn't play Bach at all

  • I really love this one. Perfect delivery.

    But I'll never forgive him for the way he's butchered BWV 1043 - Vivace later in the same concert. Oistrakh family FTW.

  • Yes again, this is the right speed ! Many be even slightly faster....This is a Vivaldi-inspired Bach concerto.

  • AWFUL !!!!!!

  • @musique28 what's awful about it? THe speed is OK, it is played without a reasonable amount of vibrato. Sounds fairly baroque to me

  • AWFUL!!!!!!

  • for the impaiteint 2:08

  • You know what sucks about this piece?

    I wasn't there to listen to it live!

  • 2:10 para saltar la intro ;)

  • I really wish to see him playing on a period instrument (= baroque violin).

  • La musica clasica es Rock!!!! y el Rock es musica clasica en esencia Yeah!!! Cualquiera lo mira llegando y cree q viene borracho.... De pinga!

  • Quien lo ve en la calle no sabe que esta tratando con una Estrella de Rock jejeje...

  • mr bean?

  • @aghaanantyab of course no!

  • I like the car he arrives in...

  • This is my All City audition piece....he makes it look so effortless. I got the sheet music recently and I'm still attempting to piece it all together! What a great performance. He sets the bar very high.

  • Dogaradodia, though you are entitled to your opinion, true musicians do not have to agree with you. Each and every individual musician has his/her own style of playing. Nigel playing is detached yet articulate. He is a superb CLASSICAL Musician!! He has his own style and interpretation! You could learn a myriad of things from him including technique, tempo, and interpretation.

  • Allegro-Moderato - Brilliant, Lively, wonderful tempo. Nigel is so gifted.  He simultaneously conducts and plays beautifully. The acoustics in the church were marvelous.

  • Wow. This is really fast. Isn't it supposed to be allegro moderato? This is bordering on presto if you ask me.

  • I'm playing this piece for a Marimba solo

  • there is a thin line betwen genuis and madness.......kennedy, who knows!!

  • Fenomenal. I loved the interpretation.

  • why does it always looks so easy when he plays, and then when you acctually start to study these pieces you acctually discover how difficult these pieces are, if not in technic in tempo or interpretation...this performans is just great, clean and again, it looks soooo simple and easy...

  • So good..Great performance.

  • najdżel  rządzi!

  • Herr Kennedy ist mein Lieblingsmusiker, also was Klassik angeht.

    Er ist der beste Geiger unserer Zeit.

    Wundervoll!!

  • @jormungard, thank you for posting this, very inspiring, moving to the soul and amazing performance, great performer, many thanks

  • @Dogaradodia, I hear plenty of sustained legato in the 2nd movement. The performance is musical and powerful. Please forget your prejudices and listen.

  • This is a Bach joke. Nigel Kennedy is just all hype but cannot be taken seriously in classical music. He can't even sustain a drawn-out legato which is a mark of a true violin virtuoso. His bow strokes are short. My advice for Nigel Kennedy: Stop making a mockery of classical music.

  • @Dogaradodia Do you know anything about mastering the dynamics of Baroque music? I think you should think before you speak.

  • Quel son, c'est magnifique! mais un peu rapide à mon gout, je suis une inconditionnelle d'Isaac Stern.

    Merci, vive la musique

  • I love watching musicians actually having fun and also performing at high level. THANK YOU. Nigel Kennedy is so unaffected and unpretentious. The Orchestra really works with him. Very synergistic.

  • "So... coolness, people!" Ah I love him, he looks like a scruffy little parakeet. He's brilliant.

  • I love Kennedy-his down to Earth approach has helped make this amazing music accessible to a whole new generation of music lovers!

  • A very schoolish performance. I don't like it.

  • Nigels a wonderful gifted performer. But he does drink an aweful lot of tea.

  • Everybody have to look at the music sheet. He played with his eyes closed. God Bless this man.

  • @laratta

    Everybody but Glenn Gould...

  • this particular concerto is much better at this tempo(he does play the 3rd movement of 1060 too fast, it sounds really rushed), it has such energy and a beautiful flow! I'd rather hear one thats a little too fast than the countless renditions that trundle along at a lacklustre pace. You need the baroque flow and bounce!

  • This is something special, and thank you for posting it. Yes, some people are going to be hung up on tempi and Nigel's character and appearance. They just have to listen to the music. Come on. What do you think JSB would have said?

  • This sounds a lot like BWV1058 (Allegro)

  • His style of playing is simply amazing...

  • I get the impression that he was inspired by Ali G or Ali G was inspired by Kennedy. In any event I like the interpretation very much - lots of fresh ideas while keeping very much to the Baroque style. Sometimes the sound is a bit too light so that it seems to get overpowered by the orchestra. He seems completely at home with playing in public. Most of us would be too nervous to be like this.

  • I love so much this music!

  • awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • I don't see why people are complaining that this is too fast. The movement is marked vivace, and most of the recordings I've heard are around this tempo. At any rate, there's nothing wrong with varied interperetations of the same piece. That's part of the beauty of music.

  • Whatever he plays, he does it beautifully. I also appreciate the humility and sense of humour of the man delivering it

  • Stunning, Bach would just love this modern master, who needs all the pomp and circumstance when Nigel hits the spot with ease!

    Brilliant...simply Brilliant!

  • I think it's better that the way he looks attracts a bit of attention. Like Emilie Autumn said, the reason so little people appreciate classical music now is because of how bland the visuals are. If those musicians showed more individuality, gave us something interesting too look at, it would attract more people.

    I think it's nice that he's just confident with what he's wearing, whatever the hell that is XD, and not let the fact that he's playing music make him all uptight.

  • haha, ladies, gentleman, and you know who you are. lol

  • to much fast .......!!!!!

  • Come on people, it isn't a crime to say that a piece too fast, however it is artist preference to keep that in mind. We don't have Bach here to dictate the tempo, therefore it is artistic license.

  • Does anyone know where this concert is taking place?

  • The best!Thank you Nigel!

  • has anyone heard the version with the voice leading instead of the violin? it is absolutely delightful but I lost it and couldn't find back who did it. If anyone knows please reply me!

  • Bobby Mc Ferrin

  • @menusis thank you but its not this one.... the voice im looking for is actually perfect, with all the rest of the strings in the background playing with him

  • This is real tuned in A minor!... my version is in G sharp Minor (or so it sounds)

    Bach rules! :D

  • It is lots of fun listening to Nigel playing Bach.

  • @LordMSh Exactly, I have the very same feeling. He probably best renders Bach's music feelings of joy and happiness...

  • @444719abcx Thanks.

  • why they play it without the harpsicord it has 2 be in it

  • "why they play it without the harpsicord"---There IS a harpsichord. I hear it clearly. I suggest plugging in your headset to your computer to listen to this video.

  • Yea, I don't know what you're talking about. The harpsichord is definitely there.

  • Comment removed

  • On nigdy nie jest wyobcowanym, odizolowanym solistą, jego gra to zawsze jakiś rodzaj dyskusji z orkiestrą, bardzo to fajne...

  • Very interesting how how he directs small changes in tempo with a stomp of his foot, though you can tell the other players can fall a little off track when he does so, leading to a second stomp to correct it.

    This is definitely more pleasing to my ears than most interpretations I have heard, but then again I am kind of a metalhead

  • This rendition has a driving rhythm.

    He also takes it quite fast.

    But what is delightful is his deliberate avoidance of vibratto on the long notes.

    Individualistic, youthful interpretation. Enjoyable!

  • Listen to Bach's compositions is a constant conflict between the nobility, sophistication and beauty and in fact become us small small before such genius.

  • i wonder why he doesnt perform no more, or does he?

  • He does, he will be in Sydney Australia Feb 2010.

    If you get the opportunity, take it. He gives more than the programme that is advertised and is a lot of laughs too. But, when he plays, no mucking around and never looks at a sheet of music. A virtuoso of the highest order.

  • remember that all geniuses in science, politics and music had a lot of quirks. dont expect 'neat' from any of them.

  • @unity100 Politics? There is no such thing as a genius in politics, as far as I'm aware.

    "Because politics is the art of the possible, it appeals only to second rate minds. Genius likes to challenge the impossible."

    -Arthur C Clarke

  • Mon Dieu ! Que c'est beau ! ♥♥♥♥♥

  • this dude is awesome

  • An excellent violinist! TY!

  • beautiful

    i am learning this but this is brilliant

    How did he do it?????????????

  • this is what being an artist is all about!!

  • Kennedy is not my favorite performer, but I can't deny the beauty of a personality in a person who plays classical/boroque with such passion, energy, and skill!

  • Thanks for the beautiful music. Don't waste your time reading all the irrelevant comments. What really matters is the high quality of Kennedy's performance.

  • For me thats the best version of Bach by a modern violinist, Bravo Nigel!!!!!

  • awesome! :)

  • ummm so nice...

  • you should close your eyes and listen to the sound of the musician, not look at his clothes and judge his character by what he wears. This is a rude subject in, my opinion. Would you say something a to him directly about his dress in public or private. Open your minds

  • Nigel plays Bach with the love and humility befitting a true musician and music lover and he communicates that very effectively and genuinely to his audience. Besides that he is his own man and just as successful and famous as any violin virtuoso alive. His Bach Violin concertos are as much of a delight as anybody elses, so who cares about any harmless eccentricities when the music is still so lovely?

  • I absoluyely agree with you, re use of profanity. It has been my experience as a professor of etymology, that there is a "general" tendency of those who do so to fall into the catagory I described. NOT SO MR KENNEDY!!! being an exception, I'm being a fuddy duddy!

  • Lucky they even let him on stage looking like that?

    What are you, a Neo-con?

    I saw him in concert 2003, Mannheim, Germany, same dress, no problem at all with the audience, they where amused, applause after every movement. I met him Backstage, you could go there, he talked to many people, was very cool (fucking cool, to say it in his words) ;)

  • love it !!!

  • I love Bach.  Nigel did wonderful violin performances on Bach. Nigel ROCKS!!!

  • i love his opening sentences :D

  • How I adore his profoud Bach--stirs me to the depth of my soul! Uncle June knows best!

  • wonderful.

  • Male version of vanessa mae. Maybe a tad better but where's the true baroque? He's defiled it with his rock and roll or whatever music. He is indeed talented and prodigical but oh well..

  • "Ladies, Gentelmen ....and the rest of you! You know who you are...!" Well , a lovely comment of Nigel

  • An inspiration...just beautiful : )

  • He has a great sound dispite his appereance which is kind of weird but it does blowed me away with his musicianship! great performance!!!

  • How does his sound conflict with his image? I'd love to hear how the two relate.

  • nigel has best interpretation of Bach's song on earth. this song, is not suitable for slow playing AT ALL. all other playing on youtube, even if by great musicans, are like ill horses pulling one wheel cart -- slow and dull. most of Bach's song can be turned into pop. especially this song because it has catchy low tune to high tune wave like motion. It is just like if you see a lot of wavelength, u will realize it is a wave. if u only see a part of a wave, u will not know it is a wave. Nigeldid.

  • vjc02s3705, excellent comment, not everyone even thinks of these things.

  • His appearance is not appealing (I'd prefer tuxedo :p) but his playing is wonderful.

    By the way, does anyone heard that he's got any neck problem? I believe his posture is quite unhealthy. I wonder how he can keep playing fluently like that.

  • what did he say in the end (befor he started to play?

  • "so with start with... A minor."

  • ok, thanks, but I made a mistake, I meant something different, I wanted to know what he is saying just before "so we start with A minor".

  • . Being a musician myself, I would have never dared to play and act like Nigel, but this is my problem, not his. And do we really know how to play Bach, for example? Woody Allen said once that tradition is the illusion of permanence.... Did not mean to offent nobody.

  • to tiakub -  nice comments :)

    I'm pretty sure that Bach himself was more openminded than several Bach's enthusiasts are today.

    Happy New Year!

  • exactly. who are we to say what this music is supposed to sound like, we were not alive when it was written and we certainly don't know how bach intended it to be written. and what's more, if people get enjoyment out of it, then who cares what it was supposed to sound like?

  • Nigel can play the violin the way he wants. He had chosen to be different. At least he is unique in his own way. The rest is whether one likes it or not. We have a choice. Either we enter the world of total subjectivity and debate about how certain music should be performed, or we just try to enjoy it without prejudgment. And if one dislikes it, why even talking about it... Switch the channel

  • Not only B. Spears cannot sing, she cant even talk properly. She is a perfect product of marketing, managing to sell millions of records, let alone everything else that goes with it.And people go for it. It is a reflection of who we are.

  • he`s a lousy exuces for a musician....actually he`s like britney spears except he plays violin....and britney is more musical than him

  • do you know anything about music?

  • i'm not deleting this message just to show people an example of how the musical pseudo-cynicism and stupidity at the same time can be achieved through academic education.

  • I will repeate my question: did you ever hear David Oistrakh playing?

  • to lovro696 - I see your point,but enjoying music is sth far beyond mere virtuoso playing.

    Apparently an excess of musical culture can drive people to a narrow minded approach to music itself.

    His playing can be average but his Bach time by time can be abs.amazing.

  • Good stuff thanks for posting this!

  • Thankyou.

  • So true! It's amazing how many experts come out of high school band classes. I've met a good many myself, some even going so far as to inform me that Mozart is not good music - it lacks emotion and drama, apparently. Personally, having listened to a great deal more Mozart than they have, I have never noticed this, but of course the very knowledgeable students would be right. *sighs*

  • They're not "right", it's a matter of opinion. Personally I think Mozart was brilliant, and depending on what you look for in music, someone can be much less extraordinary than someone else makes them seem, or much more than others give them credit for.

    I wouldn't let others' opinions or views on music ruin MY personal views or preferences in music. Anyone can critique anything harshly enough that it makes it sound like utter crap ;p

  • Oh, rest assured I was being sarcastic to the utmost degree. In no way do I agree with that person. I love Mozart, and consider it full of drama. Also, I happen to know that that individual had never listened to a Mozart opera or a Mozart mass, and their knowledge was restricted to elementary-level piano sonatas. I do not set much store with their opinion.

  • I completely respect your opinion, although I must say that I don't understand your logic on the matter. How is it lacking feeling and emotion?

    I always thought a great deal of Mozart's music was rather melodramatic, or, as far as I could notice, it seemed to be.

  • Oh, I never said I agreed. Personally, I think it has drama, although a different, more subtle type of drama than that particular person is used to. One has to look for it, rather than have it shoved in one's face. The sonatas can be a bit dry, though at times that is more of a reflection on the player. Mozart's music is wonderful for the perfection and balance of form, and focused intent, rather than messy pathos. For those used to messy pathos, it may seem a little bit flat.

  • Apparently, you don't know how to spell either. Congratulations on what you have "claimed" to achieve, I'm sure it's..umm.. great..

  • @lovro696 Dude, whatever floats your boat, and you are in one narrow, tiny ocean.

  • @lovro696 do you really call yourself a musician ??????? ediot

  • @lovro696I can’t believe wht I’m reading did he say that Hilary Hahn is better than Nigel kennedy???

  • @lovro696 Wow, you say that you have been 'listening' since your birth. That's amazing. And your parents are musicians...the inference is that you yourself are a gifted musician. Your words say something else, and - sadly - one is left with the conclusion that in fact you don't listen at all. Good luck with the studying. You have a long way to go!

  • Comment removed

  • At least he tries daring something new. He's a hero in that sense and gives classical music a new drive and viewpoint. Much better than those chewed-out technical copycats!

  • If I would crap in the middle of the street, would it be new?

  • is new trying to play as bad as you can musicaly?

  • "keeping it under control?"

    "see you in a bit - i'm just gonna get vibed"

  • hhaha -the guy is a fucking mental case. i love it.

  • Thumbs down me cuze i killed ur mom and ate her cocos and i gave ur dad a goat and a pink lama. I killed ur nana, she was a bone in a bag. So i killed her. Fuck Uz all mother fucking retarded fucklets.

    Fuck u to NIGEL>

    Go and kill a fucking nigga.

  • Here they are, Nigel's fans with intellect somewhere in between monkey or pig.

  • How can one be between a monkey OR a pig?

    I think you mean "between a monkey AND a pig".

    Get back to those English lessons pal.

    THEY'RE NOT WORKING

  • ouch! grammar insults really sting!

  • He's very good. I don't see how you assholes are coming off criticizing him.

  • wow the acustics in that place are ridiculous...

    I dont know much about this piece but i dont think it sounds that bad...

  • dude.. he's from England not from US

  • Those are even worse.

  • All of the Nigel Kennedy haters shut up!

    No one could argue he's the best violinist in the world but does that really matter, in terms of passion Kennedy is right up there.

    He's done so much to raise the name of classical music, I get the feeling that there are a few people on here that don't like the masses getting in to some classical music or seeing classical music being expermented with.

    Loosen up.

  • That's right. He is the best in the world. American world. Is there anything not best in the world from US?

  • Read the comment you muppet, I never said he was the best in the world. In fact I said the opposite.

    And who mentioned the US?

  • Are you crack head? This is what you said "No one could argue he's the best violinist in the world but does that really matter, in terms of passion Kennedy is right up there." "Right up there" is enough. You're confused between passion and vulgar. He is playing vulgar, there nothing up there.

  • Read it properly! "In terms of passion", not technical ability, both are crucial, but as I say, Kennedy has done so much to raise the name of classical music. My little cousin wouldn't have started playing the violin had it not been for Kennedy's seemingly "cool" image.

    And byt the way, saying that I've "confused passion and vulgar", implies that I've comfused them both with something.

    It should be "You're confusing passion with vulgar". And don't get me started on the last sentence!

  • Teach your kids how to speak English. I don't care. As long as you understand what I am saying, is good enough for me. And you did understood. So, are trying to be a jerk instead of been thankful that I am talking to you on your language? What other languages do you speak? Let's try that one.

    I didn't say anything about his technical ability. His technical ability is actually pretty good. I am talking about his awful taste. He is not a classical musician, his is a pank who plays violin.

  • Actually I'm 16 so don't hve any kids obviously.

    Well I wouldn't say I understood the last sentence.

    Okay let's try that one, English isn't even my first language, Welsh is. So stick that up your pipe and smoke it.

    This is what annoys me about you, you are a snob, who doesn't like to see the "masses" playing classical music. You think they are beneath you.

  • What is your first language?

  • As I said, it's Welsh.

  • Oh ya, right. Very funny. Guy born in UK and trying to tell me that English is not his first language.

    Another bull shit from Albion.

  • Do some researching.

    I was born in Wales (which is part of the UK), and I speak Welsh along with 28% of the population. I speak Welsh with all of my family and my friends, therefore Welsh is my first language.

    I may study English, but so do you yes? (But you're obviously not having much luck.)

  • Please, stop it, I understand that you are 16, but you can't deny obvious. You born in UK where English is official language.

    I was born in USSR and there is over 150 different nationalities with their own languages, but they all speak Russian and learn it in schools.

    I start learning English when I was 24, just for my own curiosity. No as a full time school student. How would my bad English prove that Nigel Kennedy is world class violinist?

  • Yes I was but it is not my first.

    It does not, for the same reason that the way he dresses does not prove that he is a bad violinst.

    Didn't you just say that he is very good technically?

    End of argument then.

  • You don't understand. He plays and dresses bad. He is trying to be a clown instead of be a musician. Yes, he does have pretty good violin school this is why people still allow him on the stage.

    Thing is that his "jokes", or his vision, are not funny or innovative, but very stupid. If you want funny classical music jokes google for Igudesman&Joo.

  • you don't understand. to say "no one could argue that he's the best in the world" is to say that it is not possible to defend the assertion that he is the best in the world.

  • That's what I meant. He's not the best in the world

  • Это Великолепно!!!

  • bored this is stupid

  • Where is the musicality?

  • massacred bach but does everything else well

  • wow, everyone's a hater these days! as for me, i LOVE Nigel! he brought life in his music. Think guys, there's a reason why he's famous^^ can't ignore the talent that he has

  • nu stiu ce auziti voi rau aici.. pe mine unu ma relaxeaza melodia asta

  • just awful, omg he`s so bed haha

    look at that poor audience, htey probably think that he`s the best in the world...

    they probably don`t know how`s oistrakh or szeryng, or kogan lol

  • try to play as he is:)i would like to hear what u can create

  • Many people can do it much better. Just do a search on youtube.

  • He is the only one who uses pizzicato during thr uns. The only one on youtube I can find. And that is the harderst aspect of the piece i can tell you.

  • Sure you can, with your huge experience in music and especially violin performance at your 16 years old. Jeez... where are you people from? Dumb and dumber is probably your favorite movie?!

  • I may be 16 mate but I've done my diploma, in first violins in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.

    What about you?

  • I have master of music in violin performance. Don't go there pal.

  • Well done. But how old are you?

    I think I'm doing quite well for 16 and I have played this piece in front of 500 people.

    So I think I am qualified to give my opinion on what is the hardest technical aspect of the piece wouldn't you agree?

  • Are you kidding me? This is an open forum, anybody can say what ever they want. It doesn't matter if you qualified or not. I already said that what I heard in this video is totally crap. Not nice, not innovative, not smart. Technically this is very easy peace. I have to admit that Nigel sounds better then concertmaster of this orchestra. He-he. He just playing bull shit. That's all.

  • You are so contradictory!!

    Earlier you told me that Nigel Kennedy was very good technically.

    Yes this is an open forum, so why do you have to attack anyone who has a different opinion to yours. It's called DEBATE!

  • Where do you see me attacking you? I just trying to explain to you why Nigel's "art" is a fake and, actually, very counter productive for classical music and yang musicians like you. He is basically fucking your brain up. If he technically good or bad it doesn't really matter (he is better then average) there is many musicians out there who are technically very good. So what? I can buy very expensive tools and make nice chess figures. Will people call me Leonardo for that?

  • please post a video when you finish making the chess figures. that sounds like a very interesting project.

  • What did I say something wrong?

  • I just don't understand why it's counter productive for classical music. People like him have made young people like me pursue a career in classical music. This can't be a bad thing surely?

    I wouldn't say Nigel Kennedy had an "art".