The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is renowned for its polished and refined sound, rooted in outstanding musicianship. Formed by Sir Neville Marriner in 1958 from a group of leading London musicians, and working without a conductor, the Academy gave its first performance in its namesake church on 13th November 1959. Originally directed by Sir Neville from the leader’s chair, the collegiate spirit and flexibility of the original small, conductor-less ensemble remains an Academy hallmark. This tradition continues today with virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell as its Music Director.
With over 500 recordings to date, the Academy is one of the most recorded chamber orchestras in the world. The orchestra received their first gold disc for their recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in 1969 with the 2007 recording with Joshua Bell reaching No.1 on the Billboard Classical Chart. Their soundtrack for the film Amadeus won 13 gold discs alone, while in 1996 The English Patient picked up an Academy Award© for Best Music, with a soundtrack performed by the Academy. In March 2013 the orchestra and Joshua Bell released their first recording on Sony Classical under his leadership, Beethoven’s Symphonies 4 and 7.
The Academy played its first tour in Europe in 1967. Today, they perform some 100 concerts around the world each year, with as many as 15 tours each season. The Academy and Academy Chamber Ensemble will be touring throughout 2013-14, visiting venues across the UK, Europe and USA. Principal Guest Conductor Murray Perahia leads a European tour in November and December while Joshua Bell leads a major tour of the US in March 2014.
In tandem with its concerts and tours, the Academy continues to present a variety of pre-show talks, events and open rehearsals. Outward Sound, the Academy’s community and learning programme, brings innovative, music-making opportunities to participants of all ages, backgrounds and abilities who otherwise may not have access to music.
The orchestra’s repertoire for the 2013/2014 season includes symphonies by Beethoven, Stravinsky, Haydn and Mozart and concertos by Bach and Brahms. The highlight of the season will be Marriner at 90, a celebration of the 90th birthday of Sir Neville Marriner, which includes a concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall where Sir Neville, Murray Perahia and Joshua Bell will all perform.
