Freedom to Music
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Variations (1978) (@256)
06 Jan 2010
(Review from wikipedia, allmusic)
Andrew Lloyd Webber and 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.
Andrew Lloyd Webber chose the theme of Paganini’s 24th caprice and added 23 variations for cello and rock band. The work premiered at the 1977 Sydmonton Festival with rock band Colosseum II, being joined by Barbara Thompson, Rod Argent and Julian Lloyd Webber. It was subsequently rearranged and recorded in 1978.
This recording, featuring what amounts to virtually an all-star contingent of players, is reminiscent of other rock-classical hybrids of the period, a slightly awkward fit highlighted by charming and delightful moments, along with some bracing moments for the band.
As the scoring is rather lean (cello by the Lloyd Webber sibling and a band, complete with synthesizer and other electronic keyboards), it’s a bit less bombastic than most progressive rock of the period and there’s also more of a sense of humor in evidence, especially in the quotations hidden within the scoring.
The rock players get their moments, especially on “Variation 7″ (which is Moore’s great showcase), and while it’s a little more involved than the typical Yes or Emerson, Lake & Palmer recording of the era, there was something there for the high school or college kid just looking for music to get stoned to.
Ultimately, as music, it’s a minor part of the Andrew Lloyd Webber catalog but it’s a lot of fun and charmingly unpretentious.
Line-up:
- Julian Lloyd Webber / cello
- Gary Moore / guitar
- Jon Hiseman / drums, cymbals & gongs, percussion
- Don Airey / keyboards
- John Mole / bass
- Rod Argent / keyboards
- Barbara Thompson / flute, saxophone
- Herbie Flowers / bass
- Dave Caddick / piano
Track List:
01. Introduction – 1:11
02. Theme (Paganini Caprice #24), Variations 1-4 – 3:05
03. Variations 5 and 6 – 3:14
04. Variation 7 – 1:50
05. Variation 8 – 1:07
06. Variation 9 – 1:43
07. Variation 10 – 2:21
08. Variations 11-15 (Including the Tributes) – 3:51
09. Variation 16 – 2:28
10. Variations 13-14 varied – 1:54
11. Variation 17 – 1:09
12. Variation 18 – 2:58
13. Variations 19, 29, and 5 varied – 3:03
14. Variations 21 and 22 – 1:59
15. Variation 23 – 2:38
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about 2 years ago
OGG!
Filesonic -> http://tinyurl.com/4xgh2du
Hotfile -> http://tinyurl.com/42saorj
Rapidshare -> http://tinyurl.com/yebxvo9
Password -> sakalli
about 2 years ago
I was looking for this record for years. I had a k7 in the seventies and I always have it as a very interesting aproach over progressive and classic repertoires. Very nice.
Do you have anything from Joachim Kuhn?
Regards,
Ricardo, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
about 2 years ago
Nice record…. A lost Colosseum II work!
Paulo – Atibaia – Brasil
about 1 year ago
thank you for the music
greetings from holland
about 6 months ago
Thank you Sakalli.