A Personal Message to the Prime Minister
Transcript
This is a personal message from Julian Lloyd Webber to Andy Burnham. For well over twenty five years, since I set up the Music Education Consortium with James Galway and Evelyn Glennie, I have been campaigning for ALL our children to have access to music in our schools.
I’m sure you’ll remember when – as Culture Secretary – you visited In Harmony Liverpool and saw the incredible changes in the children when music was put at the heart of a school. That was in two thousand and eight – but since then we have been going backwards with even fewer children now having a chance to play an instrument.
And it’s not just classical musicians like myself, Nicola Benedetti and Sheku Kanneh-Mason who have spoken out about how musicempowers children – Ed Sheeran, Elton John,Adele and many others – we’ve ALL been saying d the same thing and today – in a letter to a national newspaper – Elaine Paige has also backed my plea for SOME music to be compulsory at school.
We used to have a music education system in the UK that was the envy of the world. Now we don’t. Andy, if you truly believe in equality for our children, please seize this moment to ensure that all our schools are filled once again with the sound of music.
Thank you.
Bows and Arrows: The Autobiography Julian Lloyd Webber
BBC Music Magazine,
Michael White
Don’t be misled: this isn’t about archery but a freewheeling memoir of a life in music, where the bows are horsehair and the arrows verbal. Julian Lloyd Webber has a way with both. And what he’s published here to mark his 75th birthday is engaging and gloriously indiscreet.
With a cast of drunken conductors, brutal teachers and cheating record-company executives, it’s a dangerous book to take to bed as you’ll be turning pages until 4am. But more than scandal, it reflects on a career that’s reached beyond the level of fame often achieved by classical artists.
Jasmine by Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webbers latest composition is now available on CD as part of his new album “Take a Bow”.
‘Take a Bow’ is the brand new personally selected retrospective collection from Julian Lloyd Webber, released by Decca Classics to mark the British cellist’s 75th birthday. The celebratory double album features a new composition by Lloyd Webber for cello and orchestra, titled ‘Jasmine’, and named after his daughter, alongside recordings from his catalogue stretching back over 40 years. ‘Jasmine’ marks a return to the recording studio for the first time in 12 years.
Click here for more information or to order a copy…
JULIAN IS BACK!
On Tuesday 14th Apr 2026, Londons Wigmore Hall saw Julian’s triumphant return to concert platform.
Reviews
Keith Clarke (Musical America)
“Few artists have done more to expand the reach and repertoire of their instruments than Julian Lloyd Webber, whether as performer, commissioner of new works, teacher and mentor or passionate communicator. Join the great British cellist and guests as he celebrates his 75th birthday, returning to cello performance after 12 years, with an exploration of his remarkable career and the works and people who have shaped it.“
For more information click here…
In aid of Music Masters.
JULIAN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Now Available
Bows and Arrows
The Autobiography
Julian Lloyd Webber
PUB DATE: 7 April 2026
ISBN: 9781837360581
PRICE: £22
EXTENT: 352pp
DIMENSIONS: Royal hardback
ILLUSTRATIONS: 8pp colour plates
CATEGORY: Music/Memoir
THEMA CODE: AV/DNC
REGIONS: World
The explosive, no-holds-barred account of the life of a globally renowned classical musician, Julian Lloyd Webber’s autobiography lifts the lid on a world previously shrouded in mystery.
From vivid descriptions of Julian’s childhood in one of the world’s most famous musical dynasties to unfiltered stories from his collaborations with such stars as Yehudi Menuhin, Neville Marriner, Stéphane Grappelli, Joaquin Rodrigo, Philip Glass, Elton John, and his brother, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bows and Arrows reveals a cut-throat world of agents, promoters, record companies, violin dealers and substance abuse, laying bare the classical music profession as never before.
With refreshing honesty and humour, Julian recounts the break-up of three of his four marriages, his lifelong passion for ensuring that every child should have a chance to play a musical instrument and his devastation at the 2014 injury that forced him to stop playing and sell his Stradivarius cello. This earth-shattering loss, however, led to a new calling, prompting Julian’s appointment as principal of a leading royal conservatoire and his re-emergence as a tireless champion of music education, working closely with politicians including Gordon Brown, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson.
Culminating in Julian’s return to the stage for the first time in twelve years, this is a powerful story of passion, loss and a life reborn.
- In April 2026, Julian returned to the stage for a celebratory gala at London’s Wigmore Hall to mark his 75th birthday.
- 2026 also saw the release of Julian’s first recording for twelve years, along with a 75th birthday collection (both on Decca Records).
- Julian is the creator and presenter of Classic FM’s ongoing series Rising Stars on Sky Arts TV. He gives masterclasses around the world and is a regular speaker at festivals.
Information
Live booking enquiries:
Media enquiries:
Karen Pitchford
pitchfordkaren@gmail.com
07785 733561
Contact for Julian Lloyd Webber:
Maggie Lawrence maggie@julianlloydwebber.com
Julian Lloyd Webber
Thank you for supporting my campaign to bring music back into ALL our schools! Following the huge reaction to my personal message to Andy Burnham
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A message to @andy.burnham @edsheeran @eltonjohn @adele @elainepaigeofficial @nickybenedettiofficial @shekukannehmason @kadiatukannehmason #classicfm #ism_music #ukmusic #musiceducationmatters #dfe
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Julian Lloyd Webber — PETWORTH FESTIVAL
Julian Lloyd Webber Bows and Arrows In conversation with Stewart Collins Date: Friday 6 November Venue: St Mary’s Church, Petworth Time: 5.00pmTicket: £19 (adults) £10 (under 18)All ticket prices include a £2 booking fee (up to £10 per transaction). Buy Your Tickets See More Events The younger…
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I wish I'd had my new SYC 'Feather' case years ago!