Julian Lloyd Webber

Elgar Festival patron Julian Lloyd Webber, born on 14 April 1951, is a British solo cellist, conductor and broadcaster widely regarded as one of the most distinguished cellists of his generation. He is the second son of composer William Lloyd Webber and piano teacher Jean Johnstone, and the younger brother of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber 

Julian won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in 1968 and completed his studies with renowned cellist Pierre Fournier in Geneva in 1973. He made his professional debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, in September 1972, giving the first London performance of the cello concerto by Sir Arthur Bliss 

Throughout his distinguished performing career, Julian collaborated with legendary musicians including Yehudi Menuhin, Stephane Grappelli, and Elton John. His BRIT Award-winning recording of Elgar’s Cello Concerto conducted by Yehudi Menuhin was chosen as the finest ever version by BBC Music Magazine. He inspired more than 50 new works for cello from composers including Malcolm Arnold, Philip Glass, and his brother Andrew Lloyd Webber.

On 28 April 2014, Lloyd Webber announced his retirement from public performance as a cellist due to a herniated disc in his neck which reduced the power in his bow arm. His final public performance was on 2 May 2014 at the Festival Theatre, Malvern.

Following his performing retirement, Julian has remained active in music education and broadcasting. In July 2015, he was appointed Principal of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and in 2007 founded the UK Government’s In Harmony programme, continuing to chair Sistema England. He has presented numerous television and radio programmes, including Classic FM’s Rising Stars series on Sky Arts.

In 2009 he married fellow cellist Jiaxin Cheng, and the couple have one daughter. He is currently working on his autobiography, due to be published to coincide with his 75th birthday in 2026.