The Courier Mail, Brisbane 19th August 1987
Elgar Cello Concerto
100 musicians make year’s best concert
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Menuhin; Lloyd Webber
By JOHN VILLAUME
If the young Wagner’s first experience of Rossini’s William Tell Overture was anywhere near as gripping as last night’s performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, no wonder he called it “music of the future”.
The capacity audience in the Concert Hall of the Performing Arts Complex heard playing by nearly 100 musicians who, each and every one, didn’t really need the presence of so august a conductor as Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
The music came from within themselves needing no out-side prompting.
The first fortissimo was almost frightening in its intensity, yet the conductor was always persuasive, never demonstrative.
In fact, the term “attack” seems ludicrous to describe the quiet sound that made its presence fell rather than heard so often during the evening.
There was often a feeling that each phrase was flowing naturally from what went before – no such thing as a rigid beat appeared anywhere.
Brilliance in plenty was released where needed; the march in Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique Symphony surged on to an irresistible climax.
The Elgar Cello Concerto received a magnificent performance from Julian Lloyd Webber, with perfect accompaniment by the orchestra.
We have had several recent performances of this work but last night’s reading set a standard and became an experience never to be forgotten.
Menuhin’s long association with Elgar bore rich fruit in this searching exploration of the composer’s deepest thoughts.
Many subtle turns of phrase, often overlooked by other aspirants, received their true value in Lloyd Webber’s hands.
For at least one listener, this was the finest concert of the year.
