Grieg, Delius Complete music for cello and piano.
Julian Lloyd Webber (cello),Bengt Forsberg (piano)
(Philips 454 458-2)

Thoughtful pairing of two composers linked by a friendship which lasted until Grieg’s death in 1907. The poetic repertoire suits Lloyd Webber’s increasingly eloquent playing. His Delius is lyrical, especially in the Serenade from Hassan. In Grieg’s fiery A minor sonata, Lloyd Webber avoid false heroics in favour of passion. Forsberg is a sinewy, sensitive accompanist. Fiona Maddocks