Lloyd Webber to play rare concert

Lloyd Webber to play rare concert in one of Wales' most stunning locations

Wales' audiences will get a rare opportunity to enjoy one of the world's most renowned musicians, Julian Lloyd Webber, performing live in the stunning St Donats Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan - whilst also getting some insights into his famous brother, Andrew Lloyd Webber.

This is the virtuoso cellist's first full concert in Wales for many years and will be a family affair as Julian will be performing pieces by his father, William, as well as his brother. Other favourite classics by Bach, Faure, Saint Saens and Debussy will be included.

Julian, who has been described as a "cellist of extraordinary class", will also reminisce on his many collaborations with musicians such as Yehudi Menuhin, Georg Solti , Cleo Laine, Stephane Grappelli and Elton John.

The concert takes place on Sunday 7 June at 7pm and will follow a champagne and strawberries reception.

Julian's prolific dream career unfolded after studying at the Royal College of Music. He has inspired new compositions for the cello from composers such as Malcolm Arnold, Joaquín Rodrigo and Philip Glass and he has given more than fifty works their premiere recordings. His BRIT award -winning Elgar Cello Concerto conducted by Yehudi Menuhin was chosen as the finest ever version by BBC Music Magazine and his coupling of Britten 's Cello Symphony and Walton's Concerto with Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields was described by Gramophone magazine as "beyond any rival".

Recent concert performances outside Wales have included three works composed for Julian - Michael Nyman's Double Concerto for Cello and Saxophone on BBC Television, Gavin Bryars' Concerto in Suntory Hall, Tokyo and Philip Glass's Concerto at the Beijing International Festival. His recordings are described by Gramophone as "difficult to find better performances of this kind of repertoire anywhere on records of today or yesterday".

Julian Lloyd Webber will be accompanied by pianist Pam Chowhan. Tickets are available from 01446 799095 or online at www.stdonats.com