Nigel Kennedy, Berliner Philharmoniker - Vivaldi II (2005)

Nigel Kennedy created a sensation with his pumped-up Vivaldi on The Four Seasons, and this second volume of concertos with the strings of the Berlin Philharmonic offers more of the same: slapdash tempi, outrageously loud dynamics, over-the-top techniques, a pugnacious basso continuo, hammered exchanges between soloist and orchestra, and an aggressive pop/rock sensibility that speaks more of this star violinist than of the composer. By now, Kennedy's reputation precedes him, and few would mistake his interpretations as either mainstream or period re-creations, since this enfant terrible has publicly staked his career on his idiosyncrasies. If he sets out to play Vivaldi, it must be on his terms, and that includes frenzied playing in his solos and vigorous support from the orchestra to match. Unfortunately, Kennedy gets carried away with his flashy tricks, and some of his arpeggios and runs sound instead like squeaks and sloppy glissandi. The orchestra is brusque and sometimes too ferocious for their material, but their thumping backbeat motivates Kennedy to pull off his wildest pyrotechnics. Much better are the slow movements, where Kennedy and his musicians drop the heavy metal approach and deliver some surprisingly understated and affecting performances. EMI's sound is clear and focused, though not exactly warm or ingratiating.