Belgrade's Sava Centre was packed with 3,700 people, who heard Kennedy play with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra.

The British musician, who will not be receiving a fee, described his visit to the city as a "non-political" gesture of support to the orchestra, with whom he performed in December 1997.

Last week he took part in the Unicef benefit event for Kosovar refugees in London.

"It was really fun and particularly emotional and atmospheric," he said after the concert. "It was the first time in a long while that so many people have been able to come together publicly to enjoy themselves."

Serbian President Milan Milutinovic and his wife Olga enjoy the performance

They were led by conductor Bojan Sudjich and performed a popular programme of Bruch's Violin Concerto, a Bach double concerto and some solo Bach works.

But keen to show off his other talents, Kennedy, who travelled to Belgrade at his own expense, topped off the performance with a surprise rendition of Irish music.

His agent Terri Robson said: "He pulled a bass player out of the orchestra and played some Irish jigs. They played Danny Boy and there was not a dry eye in the house.

"A lot of the people who turned up and were sitting in the aisles were musicians who had brought their violins with them. Nigel has invited them to a jazz club tonight where he has promised he will jam with them."

In the crowd was Serbian President Milan Milutinovic, who has been indicted for war crimes.

But the Sava centre has no connection with the Yugoslav Government and Kennedy was not worried that the concert could be used for propaganda.

'Not making political point'

"I'm amongst friends I know in Belgrade," he said. "They are warm and love music. I simply felt terrible when I heard that people I know were living in a country that was being bombed.

"I just wanted to come over to Belgrade and share some music with them and play to an audience I have played to in the past.

"In my view it was not a controversial decision to come to this country - a country that loves classical music and is highly cultured.

"I'm not a politician and certainly do not have sympathy with many politicians and I was not here to make a political point on anyone's behalf."

Concert promoter George Milutinovic said: "Everybody here is glad that he came to take our hearts with his music. People are very honoured that he came."