Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra enjoyed accompanying soloist Graham Walker, who gave a superbly controlled performance of Elgar's Cello Concerto at Christ Church, Bayston Hill recently.

Graham, who grew up in Shrewsbury and is the son of one of our own members, gave his debuts on BBC Radio 3 and at Birmingham's Symphony Hall and is now Director of Music at Magdalene College, Cambridge, although maintains a busy touring and recording schedule alongside!

He said: "It was a wonderful performance by the SSO under John Moore - energetic, stylish, communicative playing in the Brahms, and such responsive chamber-music making in the concerto. A total joy to work with you all!"

The orchestra also played the Overture to Ethel Smythe’s ground-breaking opera, The Wreckers, a stunning work that is now receiving the attention it has long deserved. The second half of the concert was devoted to Brahms' sunny and bucolic second symphony, a work full of Brahms’ wonderful musical constructs and invention. John Moore, conductor of the orchestra, said of the concert: “Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra entered a new phase of excellence last Wednesday, demonstrating their ability to not just play major repertoire superbly, but to also be able to be the most sympathetic of partners in accompanying soloists as demonstrated in the wonderful performance of the Elgar cello Concerto given by Graham Walker. The future is bright for the orchestra, and it is simply a privilege to be able to work with such a committed and talented group of local musicians. Shrewsbury and indeed Shropshire can be very proud to have such a fine Symphony Orchestra in its midst."