I was trolling through The Internets yesterday and stumbled upon a little controversy brewing in the world of classical violinistry. I’m shocked (shocked!) that it hasn’t already kicked the economic crisis off of the front page of the New York Times so I thought I’d give it a little boost. This one, as they say, goes to eleven.
For the record, I’m a Bach nut. Every year on 21 March I celebrate the birthday of Die Altë Mensch, the Gott-Vater of all music, the Commodore of Counterpoint himself, Johann Sebastian Bach. It’s a sacred day for me and one closely tied to the Vernal Equinox (rebirth, spring, yadda yadda). I like my Bach just so. Anner Bylsma on ‘Cello, Trevor Pinnock on Harpsichord, Ton Koopman on Organ; and the easiest way to get in a raving argument with me is to even mention The AntiChrist – Glenn Gould.
But for the record I would like to say that Nigel Kennedy has his head firmly rammed up his tuchus. (That’s “Hinterteile” for those of you who don’t speak Yiddish.)
Evidently Nigel doesn’t like anyone else’s Bach. Except, of course, the Bach from his teacher Yehudi Menuhin. He proceeds to trash everyone in sight, except of course for his teacher Yehudi Menuhin. Then he proclaims that quite obviously he’s the true disciple of his teacher Yehudi Menuhin. And then the following statement:
“I see it as my job to try to keep Bach in the mainstream and present his music with, rather than without, its emotional core.”
Well, a more arrogant, self-centered, defensive load of tripe has rarely been foisted upon the public at large. It loudly proclaims that Nigel: 1) doesn’t understand anything about performance practice of any kind (let alone Baroque performance practice); 2) doesn’t care about the composer’s intentions; and 3) doesn’t care about anyone’s opinion except his own. In that way he’s not that much different then a lot of people in the business, but what sticks in my particular craw though is his personal justification on the back of Menuhin. This has got to go.
For the record I never met Yehudi Menuhin. I do have profound respect for his musicianship and playing, but I have even more respect for his open mind. This is a man who was one of the driving forces behind introducing Yoga to the West. He played in concentration camps during WWII. He worked with Ravi Shankar before it was hip to do so and he had tremendous fun exchanging ideas with Stephan Grappelli. Menuhin was at the forefront of societal issues and was not afraid to call out governments who were acting in less than reputable ways. The only other musician of that type and caliber today would be Daniel Barenboim. Everyone else seems too wimpy to stick their neck out.
And it’s this that bothers me – I cannot imagine Menuhin taking the stand that Kennedy has. I cannot imagine Menuhin indiscriminantly trashing everyone else in sight and setting himself up as the Only True Disciple of Anything. I cannot imagine Menuhin proclaiming that only his approach to any composer could possibly be right. It’s insulting. In the Martial Arts we know students like this – they do all the moves and make all the right sounds but never, ever get close to understanding the inner meaning of the Arts. They thinks it’s about war but the Arts are about peace.
Nigel, you have profoundly misunderstood the legacy of Bach. You have disgraced yourself in front of your colleagues. Most importantly, you have insulted the legacy of your teacher. Yehudi Menuhin would be ashamed of you.
Bravo! Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!