JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER JIAXIN CHENG AND JOHN LENEHAN
Evening Songs – Delius and Ireland songs arranged for cello and piano by Julian Lloyd Webber
(Naxos Classical 8.572902)
A nice idea; songs by John Ireland and Frederick Delius arranged for cello and played by JLW. 2012 brings fifty years since Ireland died and one hundred and fifty since Delius was born. The transcriptions work well and are played with feeling, tenderness, good tone and love. Ireland’s Sea Fever and The Holy Boy are here; indelible melodies. There’s a good range included. This release is not just for cellists; it’s good to have a different light shone on these ‘settings’, which still sing. Jiaxin Cheng (Mrs JLW) performs on two tracks and John Lenehan is a sensitive pianist. The sound is nicely tangible while allowing space around the instruments.
Colin Anderson
