Sadly Julian has this week announced that he has had to give up playing due to a disc problem in his neck which has an effect on the strength in his right (bow) arm. However he will continue to conduct and, thanks to posts like this one, we can still appreciate the genius at his best :)
I have the whole album of Variations on pristine vinyl. It's the best thing Andrew has ever done... SERIOUSLY! Try to get hold of it... it's brilliant!
My niece and nephews LOVE this song... "...can you play 5 ... 6 ... please?" (CD 5, song 6 from Premiere Collection). Especially my nephew who is 9 and he asked if I can get the sheet music for him. He has been playing piano for about a year and he's pretty good. His sister who is 11 has been playing piano for about 6 years ... quite advance. So.. I'm going have them play this song together on the electric piano and the variations of musical instruments.. ;). I found this sheet music.
My 13 year old daughter has been playing the cello for two years now, but promised yesterday to learn to play Variations for me. She must have been serious, because she went looking for a video of it being played just hours after we listened to it on Andrew's "Now and Forever" compilation. This version is stunning, and Julian is definitely a master cellist. Now I just need to find some sheet music for her!
Yes, Andrew Lloyd Webber did write this piece. Actually he lost a bet to Julian (his brother) and the price was that he had to write a piece for cello and rock band. It's inspired by Paganini's Caprice #24 for violin. I greatly recommend giving the "original" version a listen as well. :) Gives you a better idea of just what geniuses these brothers are.
I remember listening to the variations album over and over when I was young, It came out when I was just 5 your old. I guess my late father bought it and I became obsessed. I Just bought the album again 33 years later and know the whole thing off by heart and am flooded with some great memories. Many thanks to the Webber's and all evolved for this fantastic album.
On of my all time favorite tunes and a personal favorite version :). Also it's great to hear there are 13 and 14 year old who enjoy this sort of music. Can't say rap is one of my favorite types of music either.
We were told in Music today that Andrew composed these because he lost a football bet to Julian :') I love it <3 I agree with @1997AshF I'm with you on that statement!!
