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Nigel Kennedy

Soloist

For over twenty‐five years, Nigel Kennedy has been acknowledged as one of the world's leading violin virtuosos and is, without doubt, one of the most important violinists Britain has ever produced. His virtuose technique, unique talent and mass appeal have brought fresh perspectives to both the classical and contemporary repertoire. He is the best selling classical violinist of all time.

As a child, he was Yehudi Menuhin's most famous protégé, studying first at the Menuhin School before moving to the Juilliard School of Music in New York to study under the celebrated teacher, Dorothy DeLay. During his career Nigel Kennedy has undertaken countless international tours, performing with the world's major orchestras and conductors, from Europe to the United States to Australia. Major debuts have included his 1977 London Royal Festival Hall performance, the Berlin Philharmonic in 1980, his New York orchestral debut in 1987 and his 2004 French debut.

In September 2002 Kennedy was appointed Artistic Director of the Polish Chamber Orchestra, a role Kennedy's teacher and mentor, the late Lord Menuhin, once held. With this orchestra he has rediscovered a stunning and forgotten late Romantic Polish concerto — Emil Mlynarski's Violin Concerto No:2 and combined it with Mieczyslaw Karlowicz's Violin Concerto in A major which was recently released on EMI. His latest recording, of Beethoven and Mozart concertos, sees Kennedy as director as well as soloist.

Nigel Kennedy is a passionate Aston Villa fan and attends as many games as his schedule allows. He has one son and is married to his long‐time partner, Agnieszka; they divide their time between homes in London, Krakow and Malvern.

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