Julia Cload (Piano)

Born: October 6, 1946 - London, England

The English pianist, Julia Cload, first studied the piano with Hilda Bor; continuing at the Royal College of Music in London, where she won a three-year scholarship to the Liszt Academy in Budapest under Lajos Hernadi. She had further studies with Maria Curcio and Hans Keller.

Julia Cload made her debut at Wigmore Hall. She has played with several of the major British orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Hallé Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, working with conductors such as Sir Adrian Boult, Sir John Pritchard, Bernard Haitink, James Laughran, and Christopher Seaman. She has given recitals at Wigmore Hall, Queen Elisabeth Hall, BBC and Budapest Spring Festival and concertos at the Royal Festival Hall and on the radio. A recent highlight of her career was playing J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) at the 2001 Besançon Festival.

Julia Cload's recording for Meridian of the Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) won critical raves; Classic CD called it “illuminating playing.” Julia Cload is also recording the complete Haydn keyboard sonatas for Meridian. In a discussion of all recordings of the Haydn sonatas, the Piano Magazine critic wrote: “Of all the pianists considered here…the greatest ‘find’ for me, also the least known, is Julia Cload. Of all the records under discussion, these, for me, are the most haunting…the most eloquent and the most lastingly illuminating.” She also recorded Schumann Sonatas.

Julia Cload will be giving recitals at Haydn Festivals in Vienna & Eisenstadt, as well as playing works by Franz Liszt for a Gala concert at F. Liszt’s birthplace. Further Haydn CD's are scheduled, to continue her recording of the Complete Keyboard Sonatas for Meridian Records.

Source: International Who's Who in Music & International Directory (13^th Edition, 1992/93); Merdian Records Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (November 2006)

Julia Cload: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works

Links to other Sites

Meridian: Julia Cload

Allegro Music: Julia Cload