NIGEL KENNEDY - GENEVA CONCERT DEC. 18, 2019 PRINTED PROGRAM

presents

NIGEL KENNEDY

BACHMEETS KENNEDY MEETS GERSHWIN VICTORIA HALL

18TH DECEMBER 2018

BACHMEETS KENNEDY MEETS GERSHWIN GOOD EVENING VILLA FANS, LADIES & GENTLEMEN AND OTHER KINDS OF PEOPLE,

I have dedicated myself to the interpretation of the Bach solo sonatas for violin ever since I was a teenager. This music has a meditational focus and is also good for keeping my hands in shape for playing the violin.

I have always hated yoga ever since my Menuhin school days. For a while, table tennis was the only “sport” we were allowed to play at the school – so when Yehudi brought a guru of appalling girth to demonstrate on our table tennis table and his lack of Lightness of Being forced our table into a useless concave shape that was it for me and yoga as far as I was concerned.

Luckily Bach seems to do a lot more for me than the imaginary benefits people seem to think they get from their Western abuse of yoga. I will play the Fugue from the more intense G-Minor sonata No. 1 tonight. The performance will come straight from my living room to you.

The Magician of Lublin is my latest composition. It is inspired by the book of the same title by Isaac B Singer, who so skillfully evoked life in the shtetls of old Poland. He describes a community which is lost forever. The music tries to capture the vibrancy and colours of this world. There are

moments of pure joy and deep reflection.

The sounds travel from classical origins to Jewish melodies and jazz. Written for string instruments only each musician takes on an important part to describe characters of the book.

Until recently I always hated Gershwin, and buying Ella & Satchmo Sing Gershwin didn’t redress my problem, what with their sycophantic pandering to a white middle class American audience. Then I realised the obvious, what was even more horrible was the bellowing and shrieking from those classical or semi-classical voices “singing” the songs from the stage versions. However, I had inadvertently heard these songs many times and loved them during my school days apprenticeship with Stephane Grappelli. The songs of the Gershwins have so much pathos, charm, flavour and craft that it will be a joy to play them for you tonight.

Lastly, it is so great to be back here where I have so many friends and happy memories.

I look forward to a drink or three with a few of you after the show.

All the best,

BACHMEETS KENNEDY MEETS GERSHWIN J.S. Bach

Sonata No. 1 in G-minor, BWV 1001 Fuga (Allegro)

Nigel Kennedy

The Magician of Lublin Yasha & Zeftel Elzbiata & Magda Aemilia The Cell INTERVAL

George and Ira Gershwin

A selection from the new รกlbum Kennedy meets Gershwin

NIGEL KENNEDY

BIOGRAPHY

Destiny elevated Nigel Kennedy into one of classical music’s true greats.

He was born into a musical family, nurtured by a musical community and propelled to international superstardom.

Kennedy remains the bestselling violinist of all time. He singled-handedly paved the way for a new generation of artists, who have enjoyed success both in the classical field and in the mainstream. His virtuoso technique, unique talent and mass appeal have brought fresh perspectives to both the classical and contemporary repertoire.

Pushing at the boundaries that might constrain others, he has continued to pioneer new sounds and new methods of performance.

Single-minded, determined and utterly unique, Kennedy explores repertoire which spans classical, jazz, klezmer, rock and much, much more.

His mother bought him a violin as a youngster, after having previously encouraged her son to learn the piano. Kennedy’s violin teacher had the foresight to make learning fun, asking for no more than five minutes practice and then rewarding the youngster with sweets.

Kennedy shone and at the age of seven was spotted by the great Yehudi Menuhin, who offered him a scholarship at the Yehudi Menuhin School and agreed to pay all of his fees.

Kennedy excelled and went on to study at the Juilliard School, in New York City, with Dorothy DeLay. His unconventional approach to performing, however, had already taken root. He railed against the needless conformity that was sought in other youngsters and on occasion would take off his jacket and tie while on stage, much to the delight of the audience.

“That gave me a direct connection with the people in the theatres,” he said. “They realised I was the same as them. It made the performances more exciting.”

Labelling Kennedy a mere maverick, however, is missing the point. He is one of the great virtuosos, a compelling talent whose strong work ethic and perfectionist tendencies constantly propel him to ever-greater heights.

Starting each day with three hours practice, Kennedy continues to improve as his career moves on.

It is not just in the world of classical music that Kennedy has made his mark.

Famously, he reimagined the work of Jimi Hendrix having been asked by the great rock guitarist’s estate to record a tribute to the iconic bluesman. The ground-breaking recording The Kennedy Experience followed and featured improvisational recordings based on Hendrix compositions.

Kennedy’s participation in the world of rock has encompassed collaborations with numerous others. Sir Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, The Who, Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant and others are among those who have worked with him.

“I’ve learned so much from working with those cats,” he added. “Macca is a brilliant multi-talented musician and writer of great melodies, Planty is a genuine rock legend,

Kate has always pushed herself and given 200% and Daltry and Townsend have changed the course of music.”

Kennedy is a man of the people who has popularised the sometimes stuffy world of classical music by exhibiting a human touch.

His love of Aston Villa Football Club, for instance, has helped to break down some of the barriers.

When his club won the European Cup in Rotterdam in 1982, Kennedy was playing a concert in Germany. He halted the concert and erected a giant screen so that he and the audience could watch the match before continuing his concert. “It was the right result that night,” he said. “And the crowd enjoyed both the music and the football.”

His humanity has also been evident in his work as a campaigner. He has fought hard to help the underprivileged and impoverished, speaking out against the oppression of minorities and those whose voices might otherwise go unheard.

Playing, however, is just part of Kennedy’s activities. He is an experienced music director, who not only founded his own orchestra, the Orchestra of Life, the versatile, panEuropean collective of dynamic Polish and British musicians, but also led the Polish Chamber Orchestra for years. Both ensembles recorded and toured extensively under his leadership. Kennedy also regularly curates festivals and has put together and played with a number of bands in a variety of formations as a sophisticated band leader.

A truly international performer, Kennedy divides his time between England and Poland, where he lives with his wife, Agnieszka.

They collaborated on part of his new release, My World, which features music written to accompany a new version of Chekov’s Three Sisters. The play was translated from the original text by Kennedy’s wife and set to music by the great violinist.

My World also features tributes to five of the musicians and mentors who have shaped Kennedy’s life.

Icons like Yehudi Menuhin and Stephane Grappelli were inspirational in turning Kennedy into a global superstar. They were not alone. Kennedy’s development in music was also helped by the great Isaac Stern, and creative collaborations with the brilliant Polish jazz guitarist Jarek Smietana and the formidable American instrumentalist Mark O’Connor. He pays tribute to their profound influence in self-penned compositions that showcase both his remarkable playing skills and his immense talent as a composer.

Nigel says, “I wanted to find a musical way of saying thank you.”

Kennedy will be busy in coming years. Numerous concerts and projects are planned as he continues to develop a sound that has brought pleasure to many millions.

As a writer, performer, band leader and player he is intent on continuing to improve as he pushes the boundaries and breaks new ground.

“I sometimes liken music to competitive sport.

You see the great sportsmen and they are continually trying to improve. Even when they get to number one, they are never satisfied, they want to do more. Well, so do I. There’s a lot more to come from me. I’m very excited about the future.”

Kennedy has won BRIT Awards, ECHO and Bambi awards in Germany, multiple Grammynominations and other awards across the world. He performed and recorded music from the baroque era to the modern day Many of his albums went to Platinum and Gold, his most recent album My World just hit the top of the classical charts in the UK. A true original, Kennedy’s career remains in the ascent. And that will be music to his many fans’ ears.

THE MUSICIANS DOUG BOYLE Guitarist

ROLF BUSSALB Acoustic 6 & 12 string, xElec.Guitars A guitar-obsessive, German-born Rolf Bussalb began learning guitar when hen was aged 11, inspired by the Beatles, the Who, Jeff Beck and many other prominent musicians of the golden age of guitar playing. He progressed to jazz and improvised music in general and moved to Los Angeles to study at GIT/LA Musicians Institute. There he was taught by musicians as diverse as Robben Ford, Scott Henderson, Joe Pass just to name a few. On his return to Germany, Rolf began touring and recording with a whole host of artists.

Doug Boyle was born in 1962, in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, England. Obsessed with the guitar since an early age and self taught from the age of 11, Doug turned professional at age 20, after gigging around Europe and making inroads into session work. His big break came in the late eighties when he joined Robert Plant’s band with whom he toured the world and recorded three acclaimed albums. After this tenure he returned to the freelance world, playing with artists such as Paul Young, Kiki Dee and Never the Bride. During the nineties he began working with Nigel Kennedy on various recording and touring projects; An association that continues to this day. He also joined the resurgent Caravan and began a composing career in commercial and media music as well as producing a solo album ‘The Third Rail’.

He continues to divide his time between the diverse disciplines of composition, producing, studio sessions and global live work.

PETER ADAMS Cello

PIOTR KUŁAKOWSKI Double Bass

Peter’s career In music started at age 16 with an appointment into the orchestra of English National Ballet. After a few years of freelancing Peter undertook two further years of study at Indiana University with Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Janos Starker, Paul Tortelier and later William Pleeth. At the age of 21 Peter was appointed the youngest professor at the Royal Academy of Music.

Piotr Kułakowski - one of the foremost Polish bass players, graduated from the Jazz Academy in Katowice (2004) in Jazz and Popular Music Faculty lead by J.Niedziela. In 2003, as the founder and leader of the DePrezes Quartet, he won the 7th Jazz Standards National Polish Competition in Siedlce, and was elected the best band in the 6th Youth Jazz and Blues Bands National Review in Gdynia. He has cooperated and performed with outstanding Polish musicians: Janusz Muniak, Jarek Śmietana, Tomasz Szukalski, Maciej Sikała, Leszek Kułakowski, Jacek Pelc,Sławek Jaskułke, Leszek Żądło, Kazimierz Jonkisz, Dominik Bukowski; German musicians: Rolf Zielke, Christian Knoche, Ulli Orth, Christoph Titz; Sweden musicians: Mikael Godee, Ebba Westerberg, and with the world famous trumpet player Eddie Henderson and American saxophonist Andy Middleton. He performed over 1500 concerts in many leading Jazz clubs in Poland, Germany, Netherland, Sweden, Italy and at many festivals in Poland. In 2009 he toured in China with the project “Poems of Chopin”, promoting Chopin’s music in China.

He recorded over 30 records with outstanding Polish musicians. Piotr Kułakowski also teaches double-bass and bass guitar at the Music Academy in Gdańsk, Jazz and Popular Music section. In 2015, he earned the doctoral degree in Instrumental Studies, majoring in double bass. In 2015 his first original record was published: “Critical Level - Golden Goal”

He is currently Principal cello with Oxford Philharmonic, The English String Orchestra and Brighton Phil. He has always had a keen chamber music career with 15 years in the Bochmann Quartet, and 7 years with the Rogeri Piano Trio. Over the years playing chamber music with amongst others, Nigel Kennedy, Maxim Vengerov, Robert Cohen, Jeremy Menuhin, Jack Brymer, Rafael Walfisch and Lang Lang.

Concerto appearances this and last season have included concertos by Schumann, Elgar, Brahms, Beethoven, Vivaldi and Haydn.

FOR NIGEL KENNEDY NIGEL KENNEDY MANAGEMENT ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS MANFRED SEIPT CHARLES CHABOCHE SOUND ENGINEER ANDREAS ADELHOFER MONITORS ENGINEER PIOTR ZALEWSKI TOUR PROMOTER SENBLA LTD OLLIE ROSENBLATT KITTY STAFFORD-CLARK MARINA LITOU RECORDING LABEL WARNER CLASSICS TRANSPORT ARBEN KABA TRAVEL MAESTRO! TOUR MANAGEMENT

FOR MUSIKA

AGENCY AND CONSULTING FOR MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS DIRECTOR PIERRE-ANDRÉ KRANZ EVENT PARTNERS DGTL AGENCY - PR AND COMMUNICATION TRANSPORT ATS LOCATION HOSPITALITY FOUR SEASONS HÔTEL DES BERGUES SPECIAL THANKS PEDRO KRANZ, STEVEN STREET, FREDERIC LEYAT, ANNE MARSOL, ERIC HELMKE, VINCENT MOPIN

ARTISTES MUSIKA 2019 JANVIER 15 JOSEPH-MAURICE WEDER, Zurich, SemperAula de l’ETHZ 31 KAZAKHSTAN PHILHARMONIC WIND QUINTET, Milan, Chiesa San Bernardino

FÉVRIER 1

KAZAKHSTAN PHILHARMONIC WIND QUINTET, Venise, Chiesa Santevangelista

MARS 20 JOSEPH-MAURICE WEDER, Lugano, LAC TeatroStudio 31 BENJAMIN ALARD, Gaillard, Église St-Pierre

AVRIL 11 AGNES LETESTU, Etoile de l’Opéra de Paris, Genève, BFM

MAI 13 JOSEPH-MAURICE WEDER, Genève, Salle Centrale 17 KAZAKHSTAN OSTARY SASY, Skopje, Philharmonie 18 KAZAKHSTAN OSTARY SASY, Bitula, Cultural Center

JUIN

KAZAKHSTAN OSTARY SASY, LONDRES, Edinbourg, Porto, Lisbonne, Paris, Strasbourg, Hambourg, Berlin

JUILLET

JOSEPH-MAURICE WEDER & HEIDI SCHMID, Festival International de Godella

AOUT

MEGÈVE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBRE

KAZAKHSTAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, Londres, Edinbourg, Porto, Lisbonne, Paris, Strasbourg, Hambourg, Berlin

NOVEMBRE 4 BALLET DU CAPITOLE DE TOULOUSE, Genève, BFM 14 TZIGANES, Genève, BFM 30 VALENTINA LISITSA, Genève, Victoria Hall

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★★★★★ The Guardian

KENNEDYMEETS GERSHWIN with special guest Howard Alden

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