Julian Lloyd Webber (GB)

About

Julian Lloyd Webber built one of the most distinctive careers in classical music as a cellist who genuinely expanded the repertoire, premiering recordings of more than 50 works and inspiring composers from Philip Glass to Joaquín Rodrigo to write pieces specifically for him. His BRIT Award winning recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto, conducted by Yehudi Menuhin, was later chosen by BBC Music Magazine as the finest version ever made. A neck injury forced him to retire from performance in 2014, but he has stayed deeply embedded in the music world ever since, serving as Principal of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and championing young talent through the Classic FM Rising Stars series with Sky Arts. His broadcasting work has ranged from scripting TV programmes on the history of the cello to presenting a five part Classic FM series spotlighting emerging musicians. He also founded the In Harmony music education programme and helped form the Music Education Consortium alongside James Galway and Evelyn Glennie. In April 2026, just before turning 75, he published his autobiography Bows and Arrows and made a brief, celebrated return to the stage at Wigmore Hall, playing Fauré's Élégie for the first time in twelve years.