Magic of virtuoso cellist

City of London Sinfonia with Julian Lloyd Webber @ King's Lynn Corn Exchange

By ALISON CROOSE

Bring on the maestro – and bring out the crowds. The CLS is excellent but it was star guest Julian Lloyd Webber everyone really wanted to see.

The cello-playing member of the highly-talented musical family gave a virtuoso performance by a true showman – and the packed audience was thrilled.

With his distinctive haircut, reminiscent of a medieval minstrel, he played with great panache and sensitivity, and made much eye contact with his fellow musicians.

Most importantly, the international soloist – who will be 50 this year – demonstrated his talents by teaming up with the orchestra for a performance of Haydn's Cello Concerto in C that left the audience spellbound.

He concluded his appearance by playing Jackie's Song, which he explained he had composed as a protest at the film Hilary and Jackie which he claimed was a totally unfair portrayal of his friend and colleague, cellist Jacqueline du Pré. The haunting melody made a succinct point.

The concert, which marked the end of the fourth CLS season at King's Lynn, was testimony to the success of the residency and accompanied the news that a fifth season will begin in October.

The orchestra, effectively directed by violinist Andrew Watkinson, demonstrated why they have earned respect and admiration at Lynn with highly accomplished performances of Schubert's Symphony No 5, Grieg's Two Elegiac Melodies and concluded magnificently with Mozart's Symphony No 39.