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The Academy of St Martin in the Fields (= ASMF) was founded in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner and a group of London's leading orchestral players. The ASMF gave its first performance in its namesake church in November 1959. Originally formed as a small conductorless string group, it spearheaded the 1960’s Baroque revival, and recorded and performed a rapidly expanding range of repertoire with Sir Neville Marriner and long-time partner, Iona Brown. ASMF is one of the world's greatest chamber orchestras, renowned for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world’s greatest classical music and loved by classical audiences throughout the world. Through unrivalled live performances and a vast recording output - highlights of which include the 1969 best-seller Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons and the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning film Amadeus- the ASMF quickly gained an enviable international reputation for its distinctive, polished and refined sound. The orchestra now divides its time between international tours, education and outreach work, the recording studio and UK concerts.
The ASMF regularly tours the USA, Europe, the Far East and South America. In June 1997 the Academy was invited to Hong Kong to play for the official handover celebrations which included two performances of L.v. Beethoven's Symphony no. 9 with Sir Neville Marriner. In April 1993, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields became the first orchestra to be honoured with the Queen's Award for Export Achievement.
World Premieres of works by Sally Beamish (Cello Concerto, performed to great critical acclaim by Robert Cohen) and Alec Roth (Departure of the Queen of Sheba) have enhanced the wide-ranging repertoire performed by the Academy in all its formations: from string sextet to classical-sized orchestra.
After an absence of many years, the orchestra returned in 1997 to its 'spiritual home', the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. It also continues to appear on the South Bank (both Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall) and in many halls across the country: from Birmingham and Glasgow to Truro, Baldock and King's Lynn.
Today the Academy is led by Music Director and virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell, retaining the collegiate spirit and flexibility of the original small, conductor-less ensemble which has become an ASMF hallmark. Under Joshua Bell's direction, and with the support of Leader/Director Tomo Keller and Principal Guest Conductor Murray Perahia, the ASMF continues to push the boundaries of play-directed performance to new heights, presenting symphonic repertoire and chamber music on a grand scale at prestigious venues from New York to Beijing. Complementing a busy international schedule, the ASMF continues to reach out to people of all ages and backgrounds through its Learning and Participation programmes. The orchestra’s flagship project for young people provides performance workshops for primary and secondary school children; partnerships with Southbank Sinfonia, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal Northern College of Music and master-classes on tour further the development of the professional musicians of tomorrow; the ASMF provides a creative outlet for some of London’s most vulnerable adults at a centre for homeless people; and a regular programme of pre-concert talks and podcasts create opportunities for ASMF audiences the world over to connect and learn with the orchestra.
With over 500 recordings to its credit, ranging from Baroque and classical to the romantic and 20th century, the ASMF remains the most recorded chamber orchestra in the world. New recordings released recently include A Rossini Gala a second volume of Percy Grainger’s Chamber Musicand Sibelius’ Tempest and Violin Concerto.
The ASMF has received many prestigious international awards, including eight Edisons, the Canadian Grand Prix and a multitude of gold discs – thirteen alone for the soundtrack of Milos Forman's film Amadeus. Another more recent soundtrack, The English Patient, won an Oscar for Best Sound.
The ASMF has an increasingly ambitious education and outreach programme called 'Outward Sound'. Players take part in a wide range of projects with schools and community groups throughout the UK. These are tailored to suit each individual group's needs.
The ASMF is very proud of its Chorus. Formed in 1975, it has established a reputation as one of the most versatile choirs in the UK and performs with the orchestra both at home and abroad. The Chorus is conducted by Joseph Cullen.
Unlike many major British orchestras, the ASMF receives no direct government subsidy and relies solely on its artistic integrity and commercial initiative for its continued success. It has, however, benefited in recent years from various Lottery and Foundation funds, supporting its capital, educational and developmental work.
Music Directors:
Sir Neville Marriner (1958-2011)
Murray Perahia (Principal Guest Conductor, since 2000)
Joshua Bell (2011-2020)
Tomo Keller (2016-Present) |
