Vivaldi - The Four Seasons / Kennedy, English Chamber Orchestra

Description

Kennedy's fresh interpretation on Vivaldi's Four Seasons broke the bounds of classic convention, while maintaining musical integrity. Imaginatively filmed, the program was ahead of its time and quickly became a benchmark for video recordings of classical music. The program is a lively mix of interviews, performances, and the multifaceted aspects of this tantalizing artist. 48 minutes.

Customer Reviews:

Vivaldi revisited.......2007-01-03

Kennedy's read of Vivaldi is as fresh as controvertial. As much so as Nigel himself is. This version brings a renewed interpretation of a timeless music. Some purist may argue against this approach. But for the music lover that seeks to enjoy works from different angles of interpretation this film brings a very interesting, innovative and personal rendering from Kennedy for our modern times.

F Arcos

Nwe Jersey, USA

Kennedy knows and loves Vivaldi.......2003-06-13

While this performance may not appeal to authenticity purists, I find it quite inspiring and enjoyable. Kennedy is truly interested in and inspired by Vivaldi, as am I. Highly recommended for the more adventurous classical enthusiast.

Bad Boy playing violin........2002-07-25

This guy is always surprising. Here, we can watch a "MTV-like Vivaldi Performance".
In front of a young audience, Kennedy (former know as "Nigel Kennedy", something like Prince's change of name) plays the fiddle with a lot of bravura, although not faultless. At some moments, he improvises a bit (mostly at slow movements), jumps a bit (making some boring noises), makes strange faces.
But, after all, we have the impression of having seen a competent musician, with his own ideas about Vivaldi and the way of play it, accompanied by a superb team of musicians, the English Chamber Orchestra.
I believe this is a better choice compared to Karajan/Mutter version: the austrian maestro choiced very slow tempi, and the Berliners are playing with a huge formation, innadequate for baroque.
Well, despite some minor faults (jumps and other idiosyncrasies)
and a very modern production (including exotic camera angles, scenarios - very funny at "Summer", and other "special effects", related to pop music videos), is a interesting DVD. Musically, is very good - true team spirit between Kennedy and the ECO, the high level of these musicians, and good "extras", like the poems by Vivaldi himself about the seasons.

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