Nigel Kennedy

 I have just one cassette of Nige - playing Bruch's and Mendelssohn's violin concertoes. The Mendelssohn I heard twice live last year, and I would find it difficult to improve upon Nige's version. Although when, eventually, the cassette gives up the ghost, I might be tempted to replace it with Yehudi Menuhin's version.  The Bruch is also a delight to hear. I can see why Kennedy was so popular ten or fifteen years ago - his selection of popular pieces was welcomed by 'newbies'; his technical and musical ability did not displease most (reasonable) 'experts'.