Wigmore Hall, London
David Mellor
This concert attracted some of the best-known faces in English music as well as a host of young players. It even persuaded Julian himself to brieflv return to the cello, the instrument he played with such dedication for so long.
His 14-year-old daughter had told him that she had never heard him play in public so he spent a good deal of time quietly working on some of his old repertoire, notably a piece by Faure. It was fascinating after a dozen years of silence to hear him, and his playing still has a lovely tone.
But I doubt if we will ever hear much from him again. An injury to his neck prevented him from pursuing his career and, although the surgeons were ready to do their best, it was a risky procedure and Julian decided not to go ahead with it.
The programme was far from predictable, with Lauren Zhang, winner of the 2018 BBC Young Musician contest, making her London debut with the Reminiscences De Norma by Liszt. She has taken up medicine but her talent as a pianist remains pretty obvious.
Julian’s wife, Jiaxin, contributed some Bach and the Kanneh-Mason tribe were much in evidence, presided over by their father.
What an outstanding family they are. It’s one thing that out of half a dozen children, one should have great talent, but for all of them to be possessed of musical gifts, that is something else.
Sadly Sheku is injured and could not play, but we heard from his sister Isata, whose excellent piano album I recently reviewed, and the youngest sibling, Mariatu, who, at the age of 16, showed that she too has formidable talent as a cellist.
When Julian gave up the cello, he took on the Roval Birmingham Conservatoire and spent several successful years there developing young talent. And I don’t think he will ever stop doing that. Long may he continue.
