Born into a musical family, Kennedy was a child prodigy and eventual student of classical violinist Yehudi Menuhin, yet it wasn't long before young Nigel followed Menuhin into jazz as his teacher began dueting with jazz fiddler Stephane Grappelli. Since then it's been back and forth between classical and pop music, not only jazz but, as this program shows in specially staged excerpts, the compositions of Jimi Hendrix. The decision was rash, he realized later. Runs 1 hour. Spirit Group Discussion 1.
Classical musicians trying their hands at pop music is nothing new.
The difference today is that popular music is so far removed from classical that many people think that classical artists don't understand pop idioms and so water down the music and make it less interesting. Kennedy's interest in Bach, Bartok and Hendrix seems to be authentic and deeply felt, not just a commercial calculation in his career. Discuss the music both in terms of aesthetic satisfaction, and in terms of its likely popularity. Plan an evening of music, perhaps eight different works by various composers in different styles of music. Think thoroughly about how the works are related, and place them in an order that makes sense in terms of the relationships.