Nigel Kennedy: The Four Elements

ナイジェル・ケネディ、SONY CLASSICAL専属契約第一弾！ 『四大元素』
2011年6月、ナイジェル・ケネディは長年所属したEMIから離れ、SONY CLASSICALと専属録音契約を結びました。その第1弾がこの『四大元素 The Four Elements』。ヴァイオリン、オーケストラ、バンドとヴォーカルのために書かれたこの作品は、「地」「水」「火」「空気」という四大元素を題材にした描写的な音楽で、ケネディはジャンルの垣根を取り払い、クラシック、ブルース、ダンス・グルーヴ、オリエンタルな民族音楽など、さまざまな要素を取り入れています。この作品の標題音楽的・描写音楽的な側面は、ケネディが愛してやまず、自分のトレードマークでもあるヴィヴァルディの『四季』と共通するものです。
ミックスとエレクトリック・ドラムのプログラミングは、Massive Attack やGoldflappとの活動でも知られるDamon Reeceが担当。ヴォーカルは、元エイミー・ワインハウスのバンドで活動していたジー・ガジェットとサントーネ・ブラックが参加しています。
ケネディは『この音楽は、ジャンルの垣根を取り払ったものです。それらを受け入れてくれたSONYへの最初のアルバム「The Four Elements」は、「空気」「地」「火」「水」の四大元素からインスピレーションを受けて作曲したものです。それらは人間の心にある興奮、熟考、セレブレーションをよみがえらせてくれるはずです。』と語っています。
ソニー・ミュージック

The title of classical violinist Nigel Kennedy's album of original compositions The Four Elements may recall his recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, but the sound of the disc is much closer to another of Kennedy's previous recordings, The Kennedy Experience, in which he presented his variations on the music of Jimi Hendrix. The four elements are, of course, earth, air, fire, and water, but before he gets to them, Kennedy begins with an "Overture" the theme of which owes something to Hendrix's "Third Stone from the Sun" and also has something of the fusion jazz sound of the Mahavishnu Orchestra. "Air" probably wouldn't have been possible without a familiarity with Hendrix's "Angel." And, of course, "Fire" borrows something from Hendrix's song of the same name. Kennedy accentuates the similarity by playing an effects-laden violin that often sounds like an electric guitar, notably on the progressive rock of "Earth." "Water" and the "Finale" subside into near-ambience, and Kennedy ends the album with the comic "Encore (It's Plucking Elemental)," on which his cockney singing seems intent on bringing Ian Dury back to life. If none of this sounds like classical music, it isn't. Kennedy has always been a genre-defying maverick, and on The Four Elements he is staking his claim to move into some of the more esoteric areas of rock and jazz, even if he is doing so with a distinct sense of humor. ~ William Ruhlmann

Into the second decade of the 21st century, British violinist continues his commitment to both the classical and jazz worlds, and to frequently mixing them. His 2011 album The Four Elements is an example of his blending of a variety of music styles, including Celtic and Gypsy fiddling, but the jazz and rock elements are the strongest, by far. The piece is scored for violin and electric violin accompanied by members of the Orchestra of Life, a group that includes vocalists, keyboards, guitars, percussion, trumpet, and strings. (Besides the violins, Kennedy also plays Hammond organ, guitar, percussion, and sings.) Kennedy wrote the Overture, the first movement of the six-movement suite (and the Encore), but on the other movements, he lists the duo Sahreal, Xantone Blacq, and Zee Gachette (aka Z-Star), all vocalists on the album, as collaborators. The tone of the music is consistently upbeat, irreverent, and fun, and it ranges from the meditative (Air) to the wildly celebratory (Fire). Kennedy is in top form and negotiates the virtuoso part he has written for himself with high energy and a sweet, full tone. Decca's sound is richly detailed and immediate. The album will be essential listening for fans of Kennedy's earlier forays into pop.