World premiere Hendrix concerto

The concert was sold out, of course (I mean this is Nigel and this is Germany) and lots of disappointed people waiting outside, hoping to manage to get a ticket.

For a "warming up" Nigel played Bach’s Preludio from Partita no. 3 and then The FOUR SEASONS with the Junge Philharmonic Orchestra.

Nigel playing classical music with an orchestra after five years was one thing, but the Hendrix Concerto with full orchestration was unique!!! From burning tenderness, during which I couldn’t but hold my breath, to fiery passion, in which the Junge Philharmonics were carried away by Nigel’s compelling playing.

Have you ever heard Nigel play Hendrix with John Etheridge (guitar) and Rory McFarlane (double bass) ? Well, just imagine this wonderful music, played by three musicians who know each other so well and make such a marvellous team -they communicate through their instruments like you and I use words- backed by a melodic cloud, sometimes soft, white and bright, sometimes full of thunder and lightning.(Wow, there must be something of a poet in me.)

And the public loved it !!!! I had expected the youngsters in particular to appreciate the Hendrix Concerto, but you know what usually happens to prejudices........ The enthusiasm and the exuberance with which we all called Nige back to the stage spoke for themselves.

I felt happy for Nigel. There must be a lot of strain going with a world premiere. But, as Nigel says: "the German public don’t distinguish music as being good or bad because of pre-conceptions connected with its category, but instead on merit."

As an encore Nigel, John and Rory played one of Nigel’s own compositions: MELODY IN THE WIND (One of my favourites. Thanks Nige !)

We had a chat with Nigel after the concert but, as you will understand, this was a time to party, not to ask and answer serious questions. We just talked about football, babies and how great you were as an audience and settled a date for an interview, so here’s something to look forward to.

Ine