'There's no place like home': Acclaimed Shropshire-born violinist returns with new orchestra

A Shropshire musician is returning home next month, bringing his recently-formed orchestra back to the county that first inspired his musical journey.

Acclaimed Shropshire-born violinist Conor Gricmanis, whose career has taken him to major stages across the world, is returning to his home county next month with his recently formed ensemble, the Shrewsbury Baroque Orchestra.

Conor grew up on a farm near Bishop’s Castle before pursuing studies at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music.

Since then, he has toured across Asia, Europe and the United States, performing with renowned period groups including the Academy of Ancient Music and the Irish Baroque Orchestra, and he’s become a familiar face at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall.

The Shrewsbury orchestra, which was launched earlier this year, performs Baroque-era music on period-instruments. Conor’s own violin was made around 1650 by legendary Italian violin makers, the Brothers Amati.

While his impressive resume - which includes being made concertmaster violinist of the London Baroque Orchestra at just 26 years old - means Conor regularly tours the world, he truly believes there’s “no place like home”.

He said: “Shropshire is so special, it’s so full of character and we’re surrounded by these 17th and 18th century buildings. This music would have had a life here, it’s so wonderful to bring these sounds back to these walls.

“But it’s also amazing to perform in the place where your love for what you do was cultivated. I was so inspired by all of the music teachers that I had growing up and I have really supportive parents who are working farmers and didn’t know anything about Baroque music or what a violin profession looked like - they were just happy I was doing what I love.

“So it’s nice to come back to that space that inspired me, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

The orchestra are planning three events for late September - a performance at St Alkmund’s in Shrewsbury on September 25, Bournville Parish Church in Birmingham on September 26 and Bishop’s Castle town hall on September 27.

Tickets are £15 and available at ticketsource.com or on the door.

• Photographs by Mike Sheridan