IF you have a budding musician in the house, he or she could get some free tips from a true master!
Julian Lloyd Webber, one of the best cellists on Earth, is also a master conductor and music teacher, and he will offer a bit of all those talents on his latest tour.
He knew from an early age that the cello was for him, and with a composer father and theatre king brother, music flowed through the Lloyd Webber household.
“I am thrilled about this tour, because a member of the audience will join us at each concert,” says Julian.
The tour will also see Julian talk about his career during the shows, revealing some amazing rare footage of himself with the likes of Sir Elton John, Kenny Everett, Nigel Kennedy, Stephane Grappelli and other stars.
“It’s going to be a bit different, and I want it to be fun, with people bringing their children if possible,” he adds.
“I have unearthed incredible clips I didn’t know I had!
“Yehudi Menuhin, Philip Glass, I even have one of Kenny Everett! My wife will play a piece by my brother Andrew, one by my father, and illustrate things as we go.
“I’ll then do a question-and-answer, and it will be an upbeat, celebratory evening.
“I have to say, if someone wants to come up with a cello and hear me play, they have to bring their own! We can’t fit another one in the car!”
If you do know a young cellist, this is just a unique chance to sit beside this man, and see what he does with the instrument.
“If someone wants to play, that would be great and maybe I can give them a couple of tips,” Julian promises.
“I tried bass guitar when I was younger, something I played very badly!
“But really, it was always the cello for me, because it has this human-like quality about it.”
Julian grew up building toy theatres with brother Andrew, and they had a steady stream of musicians often living at the house, such as Tim Rice, so the brothers were destined for the lives they’ve had.
“I left school with a few O-levels, and my parents understood why music was the only thing for me,” he admits.
“But I would say to kids today, you have to work hard at it, and want it more than anything else.”
Who knows? Maybe one day you will get to teach others, including Britain’s best comedians!
“I loved being on the Kenny Everett Show!” Julian laughs.
“He was Sid Snot, the punk, and they decided to get musicians in to give Sid a masterclass.
“Kenny didn’t know what I was going to do, and I had the idea to play a famous piece, The Swan.
“So I pre-recorded a truly terrible version, which he pretended to play. Then I played it properly, before smashing my cello over his head. That was fun!”
Julian’s tour begins at Wavendon’s Stables on February 22, and continues right through into July.
Tickets are £25, and for more dates, check julianlloydwebber.com or ticketmaster.co.uk.
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