Every generation has its brilliant virtuosi players who, by common consent, stand that little bit apart from their contemporaries. And just occasionally another, greater, phenomenon appears: an artist so very special that he creates an entirely new horizon for his art, an entirely new approach to his instrument. Such an artist was Pablo Casals. There is no musician today who has not, in some way, been touched by Casals. His innovations sparked a revolution and changed for ever the accepted limitations of playing the cello; his teachings stand as a beacon, proud and resolute, for all others to follow. In the wider world, his courageous stand against the fascists who had overrun his beloved Catalonia earned him the respect and attention of the world's most renowned leaders, from the President of the United States to the Secretary General of the United Nations. Here, then, is a portrait of Pablo Casals in his own words and the words of others. It's all here: his love of humanity, his wisdom, his idealism, his courage, his obstinacy, the inspiration he sparked and above all - shining through the pages like a rare and precious jewel - the overwhelming, triumphant and towering genius.

Julian Lloyd Webber is one of the leading musicians of our time. As a solo cellist, he played with the world's greatest orchestras in the world's most famous concert halls and recorded with musical legends including Yehudi Menuhin, Georg Solti, Stephane Grappelli and Elton John. His recording of Elgar's Cello Concerto won the Classical Brit Award in 1978, and his album Variations won a gold disc within five weeks of its release. In 2008, Julian founded the UK government's In Harmony programme, which facilitates access to music for children from less-privileged backgrounds. Julian was the only classical musician chosen to play at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. In 2014, a neck injury reduced the power of his bowing arm, forcing his retirement as a cellist. The following year, he was appointed principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, a role which he held for five years. He continues to support young musicians through regular television and radio programmes on rising classical stars. Julian is a lifelong Leyton Orient supporter, and he was the London Underground's first official busker.