Lloyd Webber set to add another string to his bow

IN TUNE: Julian Lloyd Webber, younger brother of Andrew Lloyd Webber, is to narrate the new production of Peter and the Wolf

By LAURA CUMMINGS

WORLD-RENOWNED cellist Julian Lloyd Webber is set to become a narrator for the first time ever – as part of Edinburgh Youth Orchestra's spring concerts.
Julian, the younger brother of Andrew Lloyd Webber, is expected to thrill audiences as the narrator in Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, which was written in 1936 as a musical story to introduce children to the instruments of the orchestra.

The cello soloist will also perform in a new arrangement of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies' Farewell to Stromness.

The Edinburgh concert, which is part of the Orchestra's Scottish tour, takes place in St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral, Broughton Street, on Tuesday, April 14.

The Orchestra's members have been rehearsing intensively with Julian since last Friday.

Some of the musicians will wear handmade masks during the performance of Peter and the Wolf, including masks of wolves and hunters, as well as a cat and a bird, and Peter himself.

Each musical instrument represents a different character in the piece.

General manager of Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, Marjory Dougal, said: "It's very much a first for Julian and a first for the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, because it's the first time that Julian has been a narrator and the first time the Orchestra has had a narrator.

"When we decided to do Peter and the Wolf I thought, Julian is a patron of the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and it would be nice if he came along and narrated. It's an exciting thing for him to do because it's new. I was thrilled to bits when he said yes.

"He's an international person and he makes time to come and work with us which, for us, is marvellous."

She added: "He's played with us as cello soloist before, he's conducted with us and now he's narrating. He is multi-talented."

Julian, 57, who has been a patron of the Orchestra for two years, said: "It's something new for me and it's good – it's a little bit different. Marjory is always encouraging people to leave their comfort zones behind.

"It's quite fun, and it's nice to play something as well."

Julian, who lives in London, added: "The timing is very important and you need to know the piece of music very well. Sometimes you get actors narrating who can't read music so it's easier for me in a way because I can.

"On the other hand, I'm not used to that kind of speaking! I have never narrated before but I'm hugely helped by the fact that it is a stunning piece of music."

Also returning to the orchestra for its 46th concert season is conductor En Shao, who last performed with them four years ago and who will lead the impressive programme.

The orchestra, which has 110 members aged between 13 and 21, and Julian, will also perform at the RSAMD Concert Hall in Glasgow tonight, and at Perth Concert Hall on Monday.

Money raised from the three concerts, which all start at 7.30pm, will be donated to muscular dystrophy charity Action Duchenne.

Tickets for each concert will be available at the door.