Description
Julian Lloyd Webber (born 14 April 1951) is a British solo cellist who has been described as the “doyen of British cellists”.
Webber and younger brother Julian Lloyd Webber were always very close, but their two different careers (a rock musical composer and a classical cellist) meant that a collaboration seemed unlikely. It wasn’t until Julian beat his brother in a bet on a Leyton Orient football match that Andrew was forced to write his cello work.
As his subject, Andrew chose the theme of Paganinis 24th caprice and added 23 variations for cello and rock band. The work premiered at the 1977 Sydmonton Festival with rock band Colosseum II, featuring Gary Moore, Jon Hiseman and Don Airey being joined by Barbara Thompson (Sax, Flute), Rod Argent, (Piano, Synthesizer, Keyboards) and Julian Lloyd Webber (Cello). It was subsequently rearranged and recorded in 1978. It reached number 2 in the album charts.
The cover is based on the painting Frederick, Prince of Wales, and his sisters by Philip Mercier.
Contents
The work was used in Song and Dance and David Cullen made an arrangement of the work for cello and orchestra. The opening and closing variations have been rewritten for cello and piano, the latter of which Julian often uses as an encore, due to its amusing glissando down to Bottom A (forcing a mid piece retune) to conclude.
Don Airey – Grand Piano, ARP Odyssey, Minimoog, Solina String Ensemble, Fender Rhodes Piano
Rod Argent – Grand Piano, Minimoog, Roland RS-202, Yamaha CS-80
Gary Moore – Gibson Les Paul, Rickenbacker electric 12 string Guitar, Guild acoustic, Fender Stratocaster
Barbara Thompson – Flute, Alto Flute, Alto & Tenor Saxophone
Jon Hiseman – Arbiter Auto-Tune drums, Paiste cymbals & gongs, Percussion
John Mole – Fender Precision Bass, Hayman fretless bass guitar
Julian Lloyd Webber – Cello
Additional Performers: Dave Caddick, Phil Collins, Herbie Flowers, Bill Le Sage, Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Orchestral Version
Julian Lloyd Webber (cello).
Lorin Maazel (conductor)
London Philharmonic Orchestra.

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