Customer Reviews

Nigel Kennedy: Vivaldi

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Thanks again to Nigel Kennedy. His playing is faultless and inspirational. A must have CD for Kennedy and Vivaldi fans.

I heard the recording on a coast-to-coast flight. Tremendous. Moving. (I cannot understand one reviewer pan of it.)

Sloppy playing saved by the berliner philharmoniker. Save your money.