Various Artists - Toward the Empyrean Heaven - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Various Artists - Var Och Sommar I Hogalid / Various [COMPACT DISCS] date 04/26/2005

Julian Lloyd Webber, one of the world's most admired cellists, notably expanded his instrument's repertoire in the concert hall and in the recording studio. In this retrospective of his art, he can be heard as soloist, arranger, and as conductor. He evokes the lyricism of the songs of Frederick Delius and John Ireland with rich expressivity, adapts a selection of music from Monteverdi to Arvo Part for the combination of two cellos, and crafts new and exciting Vivaldi arrangements. His conducting prowess is shown by supremely sensitive performances of English string music. These are the last recordings that Lloyd Webber made before announcing his retirement from playing. InchJulian Lloyd Webber emerges as a conductor of some distinction.Inch (Mail on Sunday) InchArrangements with a good deal of zing, zip, and zest.Inch (Fanfare)

Compositions attributed to him stretch across the centuries, from the beginning of the Middle Ages, through the Renaissance, and into the early stages of the Baroque period. His music was by turns spiritual and secular, romantic and raucous, traditional and forward-looking. She was equally at home writing Gregorian chant, songs for troubadours, and instrumental dance music. He assimilated elements from both Western and Eastern cultures, tapping into musical traditions from England, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Greece, North Africa and beyond. You name it, she could write it. Needless to say, we know virtually nothing about him. No artist sketched his features. No poet sang her praises. No registrar listed his birth.