And the Bridge Is Love: English Music for Strings

“…Lloyd Webber shows himself to be a very capable conductor. In familiar works such as Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro and also his Serenade for Strings, Lloyd Webber does not erase one’s affection for classic recordings by Barbirolli and Boult (for example), but he clearly knows and loves this music, and I’m sure it’s not exactly unknown to the English Chamber Orchestra! In short, this CD is a success, although it is desirable chiefly for the less-familiar works that it contains.”

“This is a very enjoyable anthology. I don’t know how much conducting Julian Lloyd Webber had done prior to this assignment but he obtains good and responsive playing from the ECO.”

“I find Webber’s approach very different and highly sensitive. …he’s a conductor with a different take on these works but one that is eminently musical.”

“This is Julian Lloyd Webber’s premiere recording as conductor and at the same time his last production as cellist. His conducting is as ambitious as his cello playing. He carefully develops atmospheres without getting sentimental. The English Chamber Orchestra plays vividly and with much refinement.” ****

Performance (Elgar Serenade) *****     Performance ****     Recording ****

“Julian Lloyd Webber…evidently has the ability to make a difference to collective performance-level (the English Chamber Orchestra plays character fully and vividly at every point) while not getting in the music’s way—a combination of qualities nicely suited to this line-up of string works. Those by Elgar come across especially well. The Introduction and Allegro crackles along with crisp energy, with the four solo players delivering some lovely moments; and Lloyd Webber’s sureness of touch in the Serenade for Strings exactly captures the music’s unpretentious warmth.”

Gramophone Choice

“…Julian Lloyd Webber…offers an impressive disc of English music that demonstrates a richly rewarding affinity for the repertoire”

Album of the Week

“…Julian Lloyd Webber emerges as a conductor of some distinction, drawing eloquent performances from the English Chamber Orchestra… “

“…the music is well performed and recorded…and with two attractive premieres to boot, this is well worth considering.”

CD of the Week

“This is a beautiful album, with an intriguing mix of the familiar and the unknown. All the signs are that the former cellist Julian Lloyd Webber could be turning into a very fine conductor indeed.”