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Andrew Lloyd Webber

by Lucy from San Diego

 (http://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/music/)
(http://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/music/)

There has been only one man in history who has managed the feat of having three shows on Broadway at the same time. That man is the famous British composer known as Andrew Lloyd Webber. Andrew Lloyd Webber is the composer of many musical theater hits such as Evita, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express, and Aspects of Love. He has been awarded four Tony awards, four Drama Desk awards, and three Grammys for his musicals. Webber grew up in a very musical family. His father was the director of the London College of Music and his mother was a piano teacher. Today his brother Julian is a cellist. Andrew Lloyd Webber was "born with musical blood running through his veins."(Andrew Lloyd Webber Biography) In 1965 Webber entered Westminster School as a Queen's Scholar and started a course in history at Magdalen College, Oxford but later dropped out to study musical theater at the Royal College of Music. He initially became known with his release of the single "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 1970 and created a musical based on it with lyricist Tim Rice. From there Webber and his work took off. Andrew Lloyd Webber is not only known as one of the greatest and most successful composers of our time, but should be heralded because of his creativity and determination.

 (http://www.brits.co.uk/photos/year/1988)
(http://www.brits.co.uk/photos/year/1988)

Andrew Lloyd Webber's creativity is shown through the enchanting harmonies in his musicals. After spending 40 years writing musicals, he has created "some of the most recognizable Broadway music of all time-from Cats to Evita to The Phantom of the Opera-along the way collecting a variety of honors, including knighthood, seven Tony Awards, three Grammy Awards, an Academy Award and the Kennedy Center Honors Award."(Andrew Lloyd Webber Biography) Plays written by Webber have become the epitome of Broadway. His originality has been recognized by the Queen of England, American audiences, in addition to reputable arts critics worldwide. His plays show the breadth and depth of his creativity. Webber's musicals should be considered masterpieces at the least. His work greatly reflects his extraordinary creativity. The Encyclopedia Britannica states, "Lloyd Webber's best musicals were flashy spectacles that featured vivid melodies and forceful and dramatic staging. He was able to blend such disparate genres as rock and roll, English music-hall song, and operatic forms into music that had a wide popular appeal."(Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber of Sydmonton) Andrew Lloyd Webber has perfected musicals to everyone's liking. He has managed to create music with bits of every genre, from rock to opera. As proved by his large collection of awards, Webber's compositions are greatly admired throughout the world. His ability to create such harmonious music adored by so many different people is amazing. It is clear that Andrew Lloyd Webber's originality is widely appreciated.

 (http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/21030259/Andrew_Llo ())
(http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/21030259/Andrew_Llo ())

Andrew Lloyd Webber's determination has helped him continue to bring amusement to all different people who enjoy his work. In April, 2013, 'The Guardian' released news of his support for school children interested in the arts: "Andrew Lloyd Webber on Tuesday complained that ministers don't return his calls as he announced his "undying" support for an education scheme that gives a musical instrument to school pupils, whether they like it or not. His charitable foundation, along with the Wolfson Trust, announced that they were giving £2m over four years to establish a new body called the Music in Secondary Schools Trust."(Brown) Webber urges British school children to become involved in the arts. He wants them to follow in his footsteps and create a more musical world. His support gives less fortunate kids a chance for a more enriched future and just a better, more fulfilling life in general. His determination to give these children an artistic future is inspiring. Webber's support of this program is similar to his attitude when he is in search of a new project. In an interview about his future productions, Webber stated: "I've got to find something and if I find something that I like, I'll do it. If I don't, I won't."(Fischer) This statement shows Webber's determination in finding a musical. He wants to continue his work and not give up. He won't just pick any musical. He has to continue to search until he finds something that is perfect. Andrew Lloyd Webber's persistence and determination is what got him where he is today.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's long lasting success is accredited to his determined attitude and creativity. His originality is surprising to all audiences, young and old. Webber helps people, regardless of income. For example, giving instruments to school children. "A true prodigy, early in life Lloyd Webber played the piano, the violin (at age 3) and the French horn, and began writing his own music at age 6."(Andrew Lloyd Webber Biography) Webber's dedication influences thousands of people all around the world to become more involved in the arts. His work inspires future musicians and he will always be remembered for his magnificent music.

 (http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/index.php/lloyd-webber-looking-for-jesus/)
(http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/index.php/lloyd-webber-looking-for-jesus/)

Works Cited

"Lloyd Webber, Andrew." UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Laura B. Tyle. Vol. 6. Detroit: UXL, 2003. 1161-1163. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 7 May 2013. "Lloyd Webber, Andrew (1948-)." DISCovering Authors. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Junior. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 7 May. 2013 Freeland, David. "Lloyd Webber, Andrew." Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians Since 1990. Ed. Stephen Wasserstein, Ken Wachsberger, and Tanya Laplante. Vol. 1. Detroit: Schirmer Reference, 2004. 386-388. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 7 May 2013. "Andrew Lloyd Webber." Contemporary Musicians. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale, 1991. Biography In Context. Web. 9 May 2013. "Andrew Lloyd Webber Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 09 May 2013. Brown, Mark. "MPs Refuse to Listen to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Music Idea." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 09 May 2013 "Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber of Sydmonton (British Composer)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. "Andrew Lloyd Webber for "The Phantom of the Opera" | Feature | Dark Horizons." Andrew Lloyd Webber for "The Phantom of the Opera" | Feature | Dark Horizons. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.

Page created on 5/22/2013 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 5/22/2013 12:00:00 AM

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