A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Saturday 30 October 2010

Hey, That's My Kind Of Music! (6)



Nigel Kennedy & Kroke Lullaby For Kamila

My two favourite classical instruments are the piano and the violin (I used to play keyboards myself for a short while in a local rock 'n' roll band). While Alfred Brendel is my favourite classical pianist, Nigel Kennedy has got to be my favourite classical violinist. Although, of course, he plays a much wider repertoire than classical alone: he's experimented with rock, and with jazz, and recently has been working with the Polish Klezmer band, Kroke. (His second wife is Polish. He has a house in Krakow, and spends much of his time there.) I know his outspokenness and abrasiveness rub some people up the wrong way - but I love his unconventionality, and his genius. He can't do anything wrong as far as I'm concerned.

6 comments:

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Haunting music Robert. So many Klezmer pieces have such a plaintive quality while laced with notes of hope ... Violins in plaintive pieces like that can simply make my heart feel like it is about to break.

I am about to begin reading Hans Fallada's "Every Man Dies Alone" and I think this kind of music would be a perfect, if wrenching, 'soundtrack'.

Ruth said...

Very beautiful. Thanks for the introduction.

The Solitary Walker said...

Yes, Bonnie - I just couldn't add anything to what you say. Except that, though I've not read the book you mention (and it's now definitely on my list), Primo Levi's 'If this Is A Man' comes to mind.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I like him too Robert - he has got nicely away from the stuffy image that so many classical soloists portray.

ksam said...

Beautiful. And I'd have to agree with Bonnie's note. I keep coming here and the list of reading and stuff just gets longer...I need more hours in the day! Thanks

Rachel Fox said...

I've never listened to any NK. Enjoyed this.
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