Now that self-proclaimed "wild child" violinist Nigel Kennedy (spiked hair - very rock 'n' roll) has toddled off to immerse himself in Jimi Hendrix's back-catalogue, Julian Lloyd Webber is arguably the closest thing in classical music to a household name. Lots of excitement then, at the unveiling in the National Museum on Tuesday night of the National Youth Orchestra's summer programme, where it was revealed that the world-renowned cellist provides accompaniment on a short August tour, culminating in a debut performance at Belfast's Waterfront Hall.
Not surprisingly, NYO chairman John Dennehy and general manager Joanna Crooks appeared inordinately pleased with themselves - and who could begrudge them? Julian Lloyd Webber doesn't take to the stage with just anybody, you know. So jubilant were the pair they went and booked the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street for the evening and brought along a string quartet to serenade us. A clearly still flabbergasted Joanna recounted in hushed tones how Lloyd Webber's agent phoned her up, positively pleading on his behalf for a chance to link up with the orchestra. She reported no difficulty in obliging - he will join National Symphony Orchestra conductor Alexander Anissimov for recitals of Elgar's cello concerto at Limerick University Concert Hall, National Concert Hall Dublin and Belfast Waterfront, between August 1st and 3rd. Best start queueing now. Almost everyone was agog at the announcement. Belfast Philharmonic Choir conductor Marian Wood and chairman Grahame Capper seemed to talk about nothing else and even the normally unflappable Tim Mahony - managing director of NYO principal patron, Toyota Ireland - appeared suitably impressed, expounding at length on his hope that the orchestra would be neither "overawed nor overshadowed" by its celebrated accompanist.
Also formally unveiled on Wednesday was the NYO's swish new logo, a pleasantly minimalist design created by Vincent Murphy of Wow, which pulls off the neat trick of being both smartly stripped down in a clever post-modern-esque kind of way and resoundingly upbeat. Dead clever, everyone agreed.
No superstars on the night; instead we made do with a jocular Micheal Martin. The Minister for Education cut a dashing figure in a crisp blue suit; if his swanky navy three-piece were an automobile, it would surely be one of those tinted, bullet-proof Mercedes that Bill Clinton is ferried about in. Actually, dashing was a fitting description; the Minister had rushed from a Dail committee to be with us, but not before promising to fetch a sandwich for his weary Opposition colleagues.
To round off proceedings, we were presented with details of the NYO's ambitious millennium programme; the orchestra steps bravely into the New Year with a debut at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham on January 9th, followed by a series of Toyota Ireland New Year Gala Concerts in Waterford, Limerick and Dublin. There was also time to launch the NYO's new compact disc, a recording of a National Concert Hall recital early this year, while lavish praise was heaped upon NYO orchestra managers Gerry Magee and Philip Thomas for their work to date.
And that was just about that. We drifted into the twilight to strains of Mahler and Mozart from the youthful string quartet. Who said classical music is for old people?