Nigel Kennedy (violin) & Peter Pettinger (piano)
Chandos · CHAN8380 · 55 minutes
Elgar’s violin music occupies this strange, intimate corner of his output — far from the grand public gestures of the Enigma Variations, these pieces feel like private thoughts, almost hesitant in their tenderness. Kennedy finds exactly that quality here, playing with a warmth and emotional directness that never tips into sentimentality, and Pettinger is a beautifully attentive partner throughout. The fact that this recording earned Building a Library‘s top recommendation nearly two decades apart tells you everything about how well it holds up.
Awards:
- Building a Library — March 2001 — First Choice
- Building a Library — June 2019 — Recommended Recording
Nigel Kennedy (violin, viola)Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, André Previn, Simon Rattle
EMI · 5628132 · 56 minutes
Kennedy’s violin has a way of making Elgar’s Concerto feel like it was written specifically for him — there’s a conversational intimacy to his phrasing that draws you right into the music’s introspective heart. Previn and the RPO bring genuine warmth to the orchestral writing, never overwhelming Kennedy but giving him exactly the lush backdrop this score demands. The viola on the Walton side of the disc is a lovely bonus, with Rattle and the CBSO lending it real grit and personality.
Awards:
- Building a Library — November 2007 — Mid-Price Choice
- Building a Library — March 2023 — Also Recommended
“Kennedy is in his element, while Previn captures the lushness of the colourful score.”
— BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2008
Nigel Kennedy (violin)Polish Chamber Orchestra, Jacek Kapszyck
Warner Classics · 3799342 · 71 minutes
There’s something genuinely exciting about hearing Nigel Kennedy throw himself into music most Western listeners have never encountered, and Polish Spirit gives him exactly that kind of material to work with. Mlynarski’s Concerto turns out to be a real discovery — lyrical and emotionally direct in a way that suits Kennedy’s passionate, uninhibited playing style perfectly. Jacek Kaspszyk keeps the Polish Chamber Orchestra right there with him, energetic and fully invested from start to finish.
Awards:
- Gramophone Magazine — November 2007 — Editor’s Choice
“Mlynarski’s Concerto is a real find. Nigel Kennedy shows passionate involvement with this unfamiliar music throughout… Jacek Kaspszyk and the Polish Chamber Orchestra accompany energetically…”
— BBC Music Magazine, November 2007,4 out of 5 stars
Nigel Kennedy (violin & direction)Polish Chamber Orchestra
Warner Classics · 3953732 · 83 minutes
Nigel Kennedy has never been interested in playing it safe, and this pairing of the Beethoven and Mozart violin concertos is exactly the kind of recording that splits a room — Gramophone basically threw up its hands, calling it too wilful for general recommendation, which honestly makes it more intriguing, not less. Kennedy directs from the violin with the Polish Chamber Orchestra, and the whole thing has this loose, personal energy that feels closer to a conversation than a performance. If you’ve ever wanted to hear what happens when a major soloist stops caring about consensus and just plays what he hears, this is a fascinating place to start.
Awards:
- Presto Recording of the Week — 14th April 2008
“Too wilful to warrant anything like a general recommendation, except to Kennedy fans and the curious.”
— Gramophone Magazine, July 2008
