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Nigel monsters 'old farts' of the Classical Brits
By Louise Jury, Evening Standard 08.05.08
Kennedy assassination: the violinist has attacked the Classical Brit Awards
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The violinist Nigel Kennedy has pulled out of tonight's Classical Brits after organisers vetoed his choice of music.
The classical star said the televised event at the Royal Albert Hall was run by “old farts” and lamented the decision.
He had originally wanted to play a movement from Mozart or Beethoven concerto but that proved impossible in the allotted time.
The 51-year-old maverick then chose a gypsy violin piece, Czardas by Vittoria Monti — and rehearsed it with the classically trained female quartet Bond.
But organisers said he could not appear with Bond as they had not been sanctioned through official channels.
Last night Kennedy decided to pull out. “It had become clear that this was going to be one of my best performances of that music, not just musically but as a visual TV spectacle as well. However, the Classical Brits committee have had other ideas,” he said.
“Seeing that the words music business' still place the word music' first, I am not going to let some old farts dictate my musical decisions. I am mindful that a few people might have wanted to hear me and have been prevented from doing so by amateur politicians beyond my control.”
Dickon Stainer and Thomas Kau-rich, co-chairmen of the awards, said in a statement: “It is regrettable that Nigel Kennedy will no longer be performing on this year's Classical Brit awards. Nigel is a great artist with a unique vision, but artistic differences have proved insurmountable.”
Bryn Terfel, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman and Anna Netrebko will be performing at tonight's awards.
The ceremony was set up to be classical music's version of the salesboosting rock and pop Brits. But there is controversy among classical purists over the inclusion of figures such as Brightman.
Nigel Kennedy is still due to appear at the Proms.
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