Munich - Star violinist Nigel Kennedy hit out Sunday at substance abuse in the world of classical music. He told the German news magazine Focus that orchestra musicians often took drugs to head off stage fright.
"There are drugs that enable people who are nearly dead to perform - sedatives, tranquilizers, beta blockers. They don't lead to mistakes, but not much else happens," the 51-year Briton was quoted as saying.
The violinist, who has shaken up the high-brow world of classical music with his casual dress and mock cockney accent, claimed "cocaine and hashish are as popular with classical performers as in other sections of society."
Kennedy said he was not averse to the odd joint himself, but only after a concert. "Performing under the influence of alcohol or dope would be cheating the audience," he told Focus.
The outspoken star currently spends much of his time in Poland where he is artistic director of the Polish Chamber Orchestra.
