Gramophone March 1985
TRAVELS WITH MY CELLO. Julian Lloyd Webber (vlc);
English Chamber Orchestra
Nicholas Cleobury. Phillps 412 231 -2PN. Form 412 231-1PH (2/85).
Including.- Flight of the bumble-bee; Golliwog’s cake walk; Londonderry Air; Pizzicato Polka;
The Swan: Andante affettuoso; Ave Maria; Sabre Dance (all arr. Palmer).
“The cello can do far more than most people think”, says Julian Lloyd Webber in the sleeve-note, and goes on to prove it in virtuoso performances of 12 show-off pieces. His own arrangements for cello and piano of these wide-ranging items have been published, and should encourage emerging cellists. Here we have the English Chamber Orchestra adding just the right degree of polish in its accompaniments arranged by the record’s producer Christopher Palmer. Some of the music chosen for these transcriptions will seem odd to music purists: the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria starts with Bach’s First Prelude on piano solo, then the cello enters with Gounod’s vocal line, and the whole orchestra gradually joins them. Nevertheless, this is a CD which does much to further Julian Lloyd-Webber’s aim of “bringing a vast new audience to the cello”, just like his recent book which has the same title as the disc, Travels with my Cello (Pavilion Books.)
JOHN BORWICK
Book reviews, 1985
Travels with my cello
“…always his devotion to music, music-making and instrument which has shaped his career bubbles over in its enthusiasm.”
Edward Greenfield, Guardian
“Julian Lloyd Webber’s large circle of admirers will find this book written with the same lack of pomposity which characterises his many live appearances.”
Robert Mathew-Walker, Music and Musicians
“…a succession of hilarious anecdotes…continuing through a brilliant career with amusing but pungent comment.”
Barrie Grayson, Birmingham Post