Cello Concerto (Concierto Como Un Divertimento) / Cello Concerto

Released in 1982 on the RCA Red Seal label, this recording features the acclaimed cellist Julian Lloyd Webber performing Joaquín Rodrigo's 'Concierto como un divertimento' and Édouard Lalo's 'Cello Concerto in D minor'. The album was produced during a significant period in Lloyd Webber's career, as he sought to bring lesser-known cello repertoire to a wider audience through high-fidelity classical recordings. The London Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Jesús López-Cobos, provides the accompaniment, capturing a performance style that balances technical precision with the expressive, romantic sensibilities inherent in both compositions.

The album reflects the standard professional approach of RCA Red Seal during the early 1980s, prioritizing clear, balanced acoustics to highlight the solo instrument against the orchestral backdrop. Rodrigo’s work, specifically, was a relative rarity in the concert hall, and this recording served as a vital document of the piece during its inclusion in the repertoire of major soloists of the era. The release was generally received as a competent and faithful interpretation, appreciated by critics for the clarity of the soloist's phrasing and the cohesive support provided by the London Philharmonic.