Nigel Kennedy Returns to QPAC with A New Take on Vivaldi's THE FOUR SEASONS

Internationally renowned classical, jazz, and rock violinist Nigel Kennedy, will perform Vivaldi: The New Four Seasons + Dedications, inQueensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC's) Concert Hall on Thursday 2 February 2017 as part of a national tour. Tickets to this one night only performance go on sale this Friday 11 November 2016.

Some 26 years after releasing his breakthrough recording of Vivaldi's The New Four Seasons, which sold over three million copies (the best-selling classical record ever), Nigel Kennedy has the Italian composer in his sights again. Presenting an exciting new version of his iconic masterpiece, Nigel Kennedy turns back the clock, but adds a typical and traditional twist, as he performs an acoustic version of his ground breaking Four Seasons.

With The New Four Seasons, Kennedy will take audiences on a journey through the seasons with extraordinary flair, delivering new interpretations of the music whilst staying true to the essence of Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

Kennedy, who has performed in Australia many times and visited privately, says, "I love Australia, the weather, the people, the media and most importantly the audiences. The Australian audiences are most generous. Having over 30 relatives living in different parts of 'down under' works so wonderfully when I come back and I get to catch up with many friends. I am looking forward to this visit with great excitement."

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 virtuoso technique, unique talent and mass appeal have brought fresh perspectives to both the classical and contemporary repertoire.

In Dedications, the sequence of his own compositions that will make up half of the concert performance, Kennedy will pay tribute to four of his musical heroes:

The late Jaroslaw Smietana, (Polish jazz guitarist, composer and band leader), the late Stéphane Grappelli (French jazz violinist), the late Isaac Stern (American conductor and violinist) and Mark O'Connor (American bluegrass, jazz and country violinist, fiddler, composer and music teacher). Kennedy will be accompanied by a 14-strong on stage ensemble, Orchestra of Life.

Kennedy's Australian tour coincides with the launch in Australia of his latest album, My World (Edel Records), which follows Nigel Kennedy /Vivaldi: The New Four Seasons (Sony Classics). Kennedy will be playing music from both albums on this tour.

Nigel Kennedy's Vivaldi: The New Four Seasons + Dedications follows three sell out and acclaimed national concert tours over the last decade with his most recent visit in 2010.

Don't miss Nigel Kennedy's Vivaldi: The New Four Seasons + Dedications in the final performance of his Australian tour in QPAC's Concert Hall, Thursday 2 February 2017. Tickets on sale from 9.00am Friday 11 November 2017.

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