This has been a landmark year for Julian Lloyd Webber.

The internationally renowned cellist turned 50 this year but that has not diminished his appetite for performing live.

He will be on stage at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall for an afternoon recital on Sunday at 3pm.

And it will not be too far for Julian to travel - he lives near Chipping Campden, an area he has become attached too.

"I've been living there since 1989," he said, "I always loved the area, right from the beginning. It's a lovely part of the world. We're very blessed to be living there."

It was an ideal place to be based, he explained, as it meant he was never too far from home whenever he was playing in this country.

"For example, in January, I have got a tour, going all over England and, a lot of the time, I will be coming back there because it's centrally placed," he said.

Julian's recital at Huntingdon Hall will feature pieces of music which have special significance for him. "They're favourite pieces of mine," he said.

The pieces range from Bach's Adagio in G to Faure's Elegy and include Brahms' Cello Concerto in E minor Op 38 and Rachmaninov's Cello Sonata in G minor.

Julian says he thrives on the atmosphere of the smaller, more intimate venues, such as Worcester's Huntingdon Hall.

"I like to meet the audience when it's a small venue like this and get a rapport going and tell them why I have chosen the pieces," he said. "It's different. Basically, I think the advantage of a small place is that I can just sit down and talk to the audience.

"It's a different kind of atmosphere but it's something I enjoy doing and can be very satisfying."

As part of his 50th birthday celebrations, Julian had two works written specially for him by James McMillan and Philip Glass. He believes it is important to air new music, rather than relying solely on perennially popular items.

"For me, music should be a living thing," he explained, "It should not be just playing a classical piece from the past."

Despite that, he still thinks it is important that young people should have exposure to traditional compositions.

"One of my concerns is I don't think young people have enough access to classical music."

He contrasted his experiences of British audiences with those overseas.

"I just came back from Turkey and the place was full of young people. They get told about music; they're told it's a cool thing to do."

Tickets for Julian Lloyd Webber's recital at Worcester are available through the Huntingdon Hall box office on 01905 611427.

6 Fifty not out: Julian Lloyd Webber, who will be playing Worcester on Sunday.