EVENING STANDARD ‘ES’ MAGAZINE 26th July 1996
CD CHOICE – WILLIAM LLOYD WEBBER
Selected chamber works, five songs for tenor and piano,
Missa Sanctae Mariae Magdalenae Philip Dukes (viola), John Lill (piano), Julian Lloyd Webber, (cello), John Graham-Hall (tenor) Richard Hickox Singers, conducted by Richard Hickox ASV CD DCA 961
The name Lloyd Webber has the power to send even the most reasoned of folk into reels of scoffing paroxysm. We have to face it though, Andrew is the most successful composer alive and Julian is justly regarded as one of the most accomplished of modern classical cellists But what of the august creator of their beings? William Lloyd Webber (1914-1982) was not a particularly successful composer in his lifetime and although he studied with Vaughan Williams his income was derived mainly from his work as art organist and teacher. Now he is revealed to be a composer of lyrical pastoral and virtuosic talent whose delightful Viola Sonatina, Arabesque and Scherzo for solo piano prove to be highlights of a summery mixed recital of ear-opening musical trouves.
ALEXANDER WAUGH