The cellist will perform at Wigmore Hall in April 2026 in aid of the Music Masters charity, as well as celebrate his 75th birthday and new autobiography
The British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber will make a brief return to the concert platform next year, in celebration of his 75th birthday. The concert will benefit the charity Music Masters, and will coincide with the release of Lloyd Webber’s autobiography.
The anniversary concert will be held at London’s Wigmore Hall on 14 April 2026, where he will be joined by musical friends and family.
Lloyd Webber was forced to retire in 2014 due to a herniated disc in his neck. ‘I felt the power suddenly go from my bowing arm,’ he said in an interview with The Strad in 2021, In July 2015 he was appointed principal of Birmingham Conservatoire, a position he held for five years.
Featured artists at the anniversary concert will include fellow cellists Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Jiaxin Lloyd Webber and pianists Isata Kanneh-Mason, Edward Leung, Rebeca Omordia and Lauren Zhang – winner of BBC Young Musician 2018 when she was a student of Lloyd Webber’s during his time as principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire – who will be making her London debut.
The concert will feature repertoire by Bach, Handel, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Bruch and Nadia Boulanger, along with an appearance by the traditional Chinese ‘face-changing’ artist, Dr Zhao.
The grand finale will see all the artists perform together with students from the Music Masters charity.
When asked why he was returning to the concert stage, Lloyd Webber said: ‘Last summer I was motivated by hearing my teenage daughter, Jasmine, express regret that she’d never seen me perform live.
‘I had just finished writing my autobiography and when Wigmore Hall offered me this wonderful opportunity to stage a 75th birthday concert I decided to undertake the challenge of getting myself “match fit” so I could play a small part in the concert myself – it’s not an easy task after not playing at all for twelve years!
‘I am also especially happy that the concert is in aid of Music Masters, a charity with a proven track record of providing access to music for all young people regardless of their backgrounds.’
Victoria Robey, founder and director of Music Masters, said: ‘We at Music Masters are deeply honoured that world-renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber has chosen Music Masters to benefit from this wonderful celebration of his 75th birthday.
‘We have long admired Julian’s deep and passionate commitment to supporting, mentoring and providing a platform for the next generation of musicians. The opportunity for our young performers to make music together with Julian on this most special stage is one they will undoubtedly treasure throughout their lives.’
Read: Julian Lloyd Webber: A glittering career
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