Nigel Kennedy in an interview

"My first violin teacher only let me play for 5 minutes at a time..."

Nigel Kennedy has performed with nearly all the world's major orchestras and under all the world's leading conductors. His unconventional style has earned him the reputation of being the enfant terrible of the classical music scene. His interpretation of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" is the best-selling classical album of all time.

Classicpoint.net: You have a special connection to Poland, and your wife Agnieszka is Polish. What is so special about Poland?
I was in Poland before I married Agnieszka, and I was impressed by the dedication, warmth, and intelligence of the musicians. They weren't constantly watching the clock, and it wasn't all unionized. After three hours of rehearsal, I had to stop. Even an orchestra would rehearse until they found the right sound, not just for the allotted rehearsal time. I really like that attitude. It was also wonderful to meet the jazz musicians. They have been the most influential in developing jazz outside of America. The Polish musicians have shaped me with their heart and dedication, and I try to influence them as well.

What are your earliest memories of the violin?
I had a very good violin teacher when I was seven. My mother got me to learn the violin. My father went back to Australia before I was born. He, like my grandfather, was a cellist. My mother thought I might have talent for a string instrument, but she didn't want a cello in the house since my father had left her. So she chose the violin for me. My first violin teacher would only let me play for five minutes at a time, then give me sweets and send me out into the garden to look for chestnuts and other things. That was great. I loved it because I didn't have to play the violin.

Who would you invite to a Nigel Kennedy dinner party?
I would definitely invite Nicola Sturgeon. I like her and think she's okay. Then I would invite Tyson Fury. I think he's great. He was constantly criticized. But you can't be politically correct and then fight like a caged beast in a boxing ring. That's why I also liked Mike Tyson. Hey, I don't know, Nicola Sturgeon and Tyson Fury would make a perfect wedding couple. That would make the party smash-hit. I think Stockhausen would be invited as a composer. He had quite a few wives and mistresses, so that would be interesting. I would also invite an Aston Villa player, either Sid Cowans or Gary Shaw. They were two legends at Villa, so one of them. Then there would still be one spot left. I would fill that with Muhammad Ali. He had charisma. If he hadn't had Parkinson's, he might have become the first Black president of America. He did a lot for the rights of Black people as a conscientious objector, stating: "Why should I fight some yellow guys for some pink guys when I'm a black guy?" It was a time also shaped by greats like James Brown and Aretha Franklin.

How would you describe yourself?
Adorable.

Do you have any other passions besides music?
Mainly competitive sports: football, boxing, tennis, and cricket are all important to me. You play tennis for the honors. Tennis players have individual personalities. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are very elegant and great role models for people. It's amazing. You see how they develop from a moody, immature young man to someone who gives everything to keep improving. That's an exemplary development for all of us. I can hardly believe how a 28-year-old man can develop like Andy Murray. Djokovic has also had such a fantastic development. I admire him because he has a heart bigger than an elephant. He doesn't even know what it means to lose. He can be down 0-6, 1-6, 0-4 in a five-set match, and he still wins. And Andy Murray is simply a gentleman.

Interview by Florian Schär | Classicpoint.net | December 2, 2016