Nigel Kennedy on Poland (Positive and Negative Thoughts)

I had no idea, it's his adopted home.

Im just watching a documentary and he states hates what Poland has become - he moved there because of its beauty and he belives that its just turning into another monster...

Has anyone living in Poland ever heard of him? (Poles that is)

independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/nigel-kennedy-all-jazzed-up-442853.html

I suppose we all have.... at least those who read papers and watch tv. Lives in Kraków.

Damn ..... I was going to watch that programme, but completely forgot :o(

I'll check to see whether it will be repeated .

Was the programme interesting ?

Which channel and when was the documentary on?

It was on BBC1 last night . . . Alan Yentob's, "Imangine" series (something for the Jew haters to bang-on about).

If u have BBC iPlayer u can watch it again . . undoubtedly, it will be repeated later on in the week at stupid o'clock in the morning.

Very much so, it was interesting to see how much Kennedy enjoyed Polish folk music and how entrenched in the classical and jazz scene he is over there - he's very well respected too.


Isnt that a bit of an exaggeration?

Can the title be changed back, it sounds rather negative and he had more positives in the documentary!

Kennedy a good violinist; however I have seen him performing what I considered rather unimaginative music...But I have not listened to him extensively

He makes good money and is privileged.

His ethnicity is undetermined: part Irish apparently, on father's side.

Most countries have monstrous political leadership...He should know from UK...Why did he make those comments?

Because he loved Poland as it was and not what its turning into, maybe he thought he'd found a little bit of paradise..


Most Brits are part Irish. His mother is English.


Then you didnt see the documentary.

To be honest - from what I've heard from people here, I wonder what he was seeing before that was so romantic?

The only bad thing in Poland (that's getting worse) is the seemingly unregulated building spree in the countryside - but apart from that, things seem to be getting better, not worse.

Unless of course, wrecks are charming to him - in which case, he should move to Ukraine!

BTW - bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00st01h/Imagine_2010_11_Nigel_Kennedys_Polish_Adventure/

thanks for that...


Chopin, Agnieszka, Kraków, Polish jazz, Klezmer music, Podhale... enough to get crazy.


Klezmer is Jewish, of course, but the sound of it is like the 'voice from Lithuania'... Funny thing, a Pole.

They were all married a long time ago :)
The separation is so difficult (lol)

I think he meant by that everyone can get an education in Poland. Everyone has a chance for it. Maybe he thinks it will change into a country only for the privileged afterward s?

everyone? that's a bit of an exaggeration..

its not the country who must be hated...

problme is with some of the people who live in it...like u...

every body is in the world is representative of his nation and culture.

so be good and no body will hate u..........

just change ur self ..i hope u will not write bad to any body again ..if u r from a good house...other wise keep going...some body else will be waiting for u some where to say u some good things

He is very well known in the Kraków Philharmonic.

Maybe you could elaborate on his opinions?

I've heard. I didn't know he lives in Poland.

It was just the way huge billboards had sprung up all over the countryside on the main roads (they showed footage of it)..The way the "inocent charm" was quickly disapearing...I suppose he saw it from a point of view that what once was beautiful and unspoilt is going down the same road as every other country in Europe. Other than that he loved it there and has been involved in the music scene for some time...


He has a home there..He lives in the UK most of the time.

I understand he first came to Poland about 8 years ago and Krakow was his main city, so there was a element of unknown about it then for Brits, as most of them still thought it was in the USSR. Krakow is historical, charming and grows on you. It is only in recent years things have changed, it must be difficult now when he goes for his Pierogi and a shot of vodka at lunchtime on the rynek, that he has to avoid the left overs from the night before stag party, and a chorus of alright geezer as he goes to his local eatery.

all I can say is that the guy's hair is really weird and he comes across as a bit of a loon, but a talent no doubt.

Nigel Kennedy and Kroke from Krakow with Kazimierz.




I whole heartedly agree with him, there needs to be an aesthetic law put in place as regards to billboards.


disagree with this to a large extent.
A similar thing happened in Ireland, when we were poor and became rich, people talked about Ireland having 'lost' it's character and charm. A country can't be held back just because some people (usually rich) think it is quaint.

I understand there is probably no point saying that, as he is not here to put forward his case (is he? :) but just thought I'd throw it in anyway.

I have heard fun rumours about Mr. Kennedy here in Krakow but I am unsure as to their validity.


A lady I worked with in Krakow, when I first came here 9 years ago. Was disgusted because she thought people from my country (Ireland) thought Poland was part of the USSR. I replied that, it's possible for some less educated people to think that was the case but most would know and I explained that it is similar here, some people will think all of Ireland is part of the U.K.. to which she replied "but it is!". I had to show her my passport before she'd believe me.

My point is, it happens in both directions and I doubt if someone like Nigel Kennedy, who came and fell in love with the city, would have not been informed that it was not part of the USSR.


But the same thing can be said for any celebrity in a major city in Europe, no?
I don't think Krakow is that bad with the stag parties but I have to admit, things have change dramatically in Krakow over the past 8 years but mostly in a positive way but people always love to complain, don't they ;)

This interview mostly shows that our Nige, the anarchist firebrand of yore, is turning into a grumpy old fart now he's hit 50.

And by the way - that album he did with Kroke is pretty much all Kroke tunes. A great record, but why did they get second billing? The bloke who really contributed something new to it was producer Jaz Coleman. Now there's a guy who knows how to age disgracefully :).

Ach, you know that Mozzer would be the same if he were here. Morrissey is such a bi*ch! What does NK have to moan about?

Only worse. Can you imagine what a ray of sunshine he'd have been if the Smiths had formed in Katowice?

He'd've fitted right in. It's just, well, he couldn't have discussed the issues of the day with such vigour as he wouldn't have understood them well enough :)

SeanBM, we have all been asked that question at one time or another.

Poland is becoming very fame orientated, not quite at the level of western Europe yet, you will still see some of the TV/Media people walking around in the shopping malls, during the sales.

As for Nige a very talented man, but when all is said he is still a mockney.