Nigel Kennedy: Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi (Composer), Members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Performer), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra [members] (Performer), Bogumila Gizbert-Studnicka (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra [members], Bogumila Gizbert-Studnicka
• Composer: Antonio Vivaldi
• Audio CD (January 13, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0000DIGJA
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,377 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I: Allegro

2. II: Larghetto E Spirituoso

3. III: Allegro

4. I: Allegro

5. II: Largo

6. III: Allegro

7. I: Allegro Non Molto - Allegro - (Allegro Non Molto)

8. II: Adagio

9. III: Presto

10. I: Allegro - Larghetto - Allegro Assai

11. II: Adagio Molto

12. III: Allegro

13. I: Allegro Non Molto

14. II: Largo

15. III: Allegro - Lento - (Allegro)

16. I: Allegro Molto - Adagio - Allegro

17. II: Largo

18. III: Allegro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thrilling!, January 23, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Nigel Kennedy: Vivaldi (Audio CD)

kennedy's rendition is thrilling. it's crisp and excites-moves the blood. i love the album. my only critique is that when he alternates solo violin with orchestra, the orchestra sounds muted and as if it was a mistake that took place on the sound board regulating the volume. however with that said, i keep going back to listen over and over, louder and louder. magnificent playing.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK Double...Mediocre Seasons, May 5, 2004

By 

"requiemguardian" (West Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nigel Kennedy: Vivaldi (Audio CD)

What I have always liked about Kennedy was his in-your-face type of playing. It oftentimes is accompanied with interesting interpretation of the piece and infinite energy. However, in the seasons, after I listened into the last movement of the Summer, I was a little fatigued by his brash, marcato playing. It was exciting for the first few minutes...Then suddenly became dull. His slow movements are extremely exaggerated, as if thinking we won't get the point of the movement if it is delivered subtlely. I must say, his Autumn is quite hilarious (in a good way), giving it a jazzy feel with the sudden rhythm changes (not indicated in the music...)

What I like about this CD is his double concerto interpretation. The A Minor is extremely testosterone-driven. I have heard many recordings where the sound and performance fall flaccid from either bad recording or bad players. Here, the tempo is fast enough to keep you interested, but not so fast as to make you think you're hearing noise instead of music. His last movement (regularly taking 4:00+ to play...his time: under 2.5) had the feel of a live performance.

The other double concerto is a rather obscure one by Vivaldi. It is a mediocre piece with drastic, operatic scoring that really doesn't fit Kennedy's playing.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, January 11, 2007

By 

Dobromir Tsanev (Safety Harbor, FL, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nigel Kennedy: Vivaldi (Audio CD)

One more time wow, when I noticed the four season's on the label of the CD, I thought, I already have this, let me hear something new, but he made it sound like never before. Nigel is GREAT!

I went to buy vivaldi II right way.

I can listen to it all day!