September 28th 2014
Vivaldi Concertos for Two Cellos
Julian and Jiaxin Lloyd Webber
This is Julian’s final recording as a cellist, now that a neck injury has reduced the strength of his bowing arm, and it’s a fittingly imaginative one.
In recent times Julian has taken great joy in arranging music for two cellos so he could play with his wife Jiaxin. Last year A Tate Of Two Cellos, also on Naxos, featured arrangements by Julian for two cellos and piano.
On this one, there are six Vivaldi concertos for two cellos, with the EU Chamber Orchestra, though only one of them was actually written for this combination.
The rest have been rearranged by Julian from pieces for solo instruments as diverse as two mandolins, and two hunting horns.
Vivaldi was of course a pragmatist, regularly rearranging his own music, so there’s nothing for purists to rail against here. Instead we should just enjoy some fine playing by the Lloyd Webbers, tinged with sadness that this is the final fruit of Julian’s long and distinguished career.
David Mellor
