Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
When Sir Neville Marriner founded the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with leading London musicians in 1958, directing it from the violin, he ‘had no intention of giving any concerts or continuing forever’.
However, demand for the Academy grew following its first concert at the Church of St. Martin in the Fields and its debut recording two years later. The Orchestra’s size and repertoire also grew, and Sir Neville was forced to take up the baton. Today the Academy performs in combinations ranging from a chamber group to symphony orchestra, but it has never lost its intimate air. This has helped to establish it as one of the world's finest chamber orchestras.
Alongside directors Sir Neville and Kenneth Sillito, the Academy collaborates with foremost soloists, regularly collaborating with Murray Perahia, Joshua Bell, Julia Fischer, Julian Rachlin, Janine Jansen and Anthony Marwood.
In 2009, its 50th anniversary year, the Academy toured throughout Europe, the USA and Canada. This season the Academy will tour Europe with Sir Neville Marriner, Murray Perahia and Janine Jansen; Asia and Australia with Joshua Bell; and the USA with Julian Rachlin.
