Variations is a Classical/Rock fusion album by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Julian Lloyd Webber were always very close, but their two different careers (a rock musical composer and a classical cellist) meant that a collaboration seemed unlikely. It wasn't until Julian beat his brother in a bet on a Leyton Orient football match that Andrew was forced to write his cello work.

As his subject, Andrew chose Paganini's 24th caprice and added 23 variations for cello and rock band. The work was premiered in 1977 at the Sydamonton festival with rock band Colosseum II featuring Gary Moore, being joined by Barbara Thompson (Sax, Flute), Rod Argent, (Piano, Synthesizer, Keyboards) and Julian Lloyd Webber (Cello). It was subsequently rearranged and recorded in 1978. It reached number 2 in the album charts.

Adaptions

The work was used in Song and Dance and David Cullen made an arrangement of the work for cello and orchestra. The opening and closing variations have been rewritten for cello and piano, the latter of which Julian often uses as an encore, due to its amusing glissando down to Bottom A (forcing a mid piece retune) to conclude.

The opening theme is used as the theme to The South Bank Show and Variation 5 became Unexpected Song with lyrics by Don Black.

Track listing

Track 1. Introduction.
Track 2. Theme & Variations 1-4.
Track 3. Variations 5&6.
Track 4. Variation 7.
Track 5. Variation 8.
Track 6. Variation 9.
Track 7. Variation 10.
Track 8. Variations 11-15 (including tributes).
Track 9. Variation 16.
Track 10. Variations 12&13 varied (listed as 14-15).
Track 11. Variation 17.
Track 12. Variation 18.
Track 13. Variations 19, 20 and 5 varied (listed as 6).
Track 14. Variations 21 & 22.
Track 15. Variation 23.

Performers

Original Rock Version

• Don Airey - Grand Piano, ARP Odyssey, Minimoog, Solina String Ensemble, Fender Rhodes Piano
• Rod Argent - Grand Piano, Minimog, Roland RS-202, Yamaha CS-80
• Gary Moore - Gibson Les Paul, Rickenbacker electric 12 string Guitar, Guild acoustic, Fender Stratocaster
• Barbara Thompson - Flute, Alto Flute, Alto & Tenor Saxophone
• Jon Hiseman - Arbiter Auto-Tune drums, Paiste cymbals & gongs, Percussion
• John Mole - Fender Precision Bass, Hayman fretless bass guitar
• Julian Lloyd Webber cello
• Additional Performers: Dave Caddick, Phil Collins, Herbie Flowers, Bill Le Sage, Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Orchestral Version

• Julian Lloyd Webber (cello).
• Lorin Maazel (conductor)
• London Philharmonic Orchestra.

See also

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini