NEWS that Julian Lloyd Webber – one of the world’s finest and most influential classical musicians will perform in Hampshire this week has surprised many.

The world renowned cellist stepped down from his gruelling concert schedule last summer after suffering a neck injury, which has weakened his right (bowing) arm.

He will, however, be on stage at Eastleigh’s Concorde Club on Thursday and also visits Salisbury City Hall on April 20 as part of a UK tour.

Julian spoke to the Daily Echo about what audiences can expect from the show and the impact of this devastating injury on his career.

Having spent years practising for more than four hours a day he said the realisation that he could no longer deliver a full concert had made him feel “horrible”.

But he added: “I am a positive person and have ‘moved on’. Obviously it was a very difficult decision to take – but I am passionate about music and there are many ways I can continue to help my profession. I still play every day – it is not a skill I ever want to lose.”

So, for the first time, Julian is taking his audience on “a historical and musical journey” by presenting a unique insight into his extraordinary life. The music will be played by his wife, fellow cellist Jiaxin Lloyd Webber, together with pianist Pam Chowhan.

Julian says he will only ‘perform’ if other cellists bring their instruments and join the maestro himself on stage at the end – offering the once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to have a mini masterclass with one of the most successful British musicians of the last 50 years.

A member of arguably the most influential musical dynasty of modern times, Julian – whose brother is Andrew Lloyd Webber – will recount stories and anecdotes of touring, recording sessions, concerts and TV shows to link with a new presentation of rare video footage of him talking and performing with fellow performers such as Nigel Kennedy, Elton John, Katherine Jenkins, Tim Rice, Yehudi Menhuin, Joaquin Rodrigo, Cleo Laine, Stephane Grappelli and many others.

Julian, 63, said: “It’s exciting and strange because I went through all my videos and stuff and there was a lot I couldn’t even remember doing, with people ranging from Kenny Everett to Cleo Laine.”

He added: “I will also take questions and answers with the audience so it will be very open! It will be fun and a celebration of music itself.”

The show will see works performed from Faure’s Elegy, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Music of the Night and Rachmaninov’s Cello Sonata through to composers William Lloyd Webber, Frank Bridge, JS Bach and Philip Glass.

Julian sees education as a major part of his future career.

“I am passionate about education and had it not been for my injury I would never have done a tour like this.

“In the formal way (of presenting a night of classical music) nobody ever says a thing and I still don’t think speaking to the audience happens enough.

“I still practice for an hour a day just to keep it going because I don’t want to lose that skill,” he says. “But I’m not playing on this tour, unless someone brings a cello on at the end.

“I think it will be very different and I will probably never do a tour like this again but I am not retiring afterwards: the ‘r’ word is not in my vocabulary.”

Julian married his fourth wife, Jiaxin Cheng, 40, in 2009. Their daughter, Jasmine Orienta, was born in June 2011.

Looking back at having to face up to the end of his playing days, Julian adds: “It was a horrible time.

“I could have had surgery, but with no guarantees, so it wasn’t worth it, not with a young daughter.”

He believes the injury was not a result of playing but the time spent carrying heavy suitcases and instruments. But he is optimistic about the future: “As a positive person I want to move on and get involved more with education because I believe I can make a difference.

“I feel strongly about music in education. Schools are not assessed on their music provision and soon there could be no music taught in schools. It really is not right that only the child that can afford lessons and an instrument can learn to play.”

  • For tickets see julianlloydwebber.com and ticketmaster.co.uk.