Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields,
The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras, renowned for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world’s greatest orchestral music.
Formed by Sir Neville Marriner in 1958 from a group of leading London musicians, the Academy gave its first performance in its namesake church in November 1959. Through unrivalled live performances and a vast recording output – highlights of which include the 1969 best-seller Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning film Amadeus – the Academy quickly gained an enviable international reputation for its distinctive, polished and refined sound. With over 500 releases in a much-vaunted discography and a comprehensive international touring programme, the name and sound of the Academy is known and loved by classical audiences throughout the world.
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 Academy hallmark. Under Bell's direction, and with the support of Leader/Director Tomo Keller and Principal Guest Conductor Murray Perahia, the Academy 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 around the world.
When COVID-19 sparked lockdowns across the globe, the Academy responded by establishing a digital campaign to fund the production of new performance videos as well as launching a new concert series at its spiritual home of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London’s Trafalgar Square. The series – the first of its kind in the orchestra’s home city for many years – saw the Academy collaborate with international artists on concert programmes devised by members of the orchestra.
The 2022/23 season will see the Academy continue to frequently appear at St Martin-in-the-Fields, including joining forces with St Martin’s Voices for Christmas and Easter and an Autumn performance of Mozart Requiem. Internationally, the Autumn/Winter 2022 Season starts with a tour of South America and Italy with Joshua Bell. The Academy then joins pianist Jan Lisiecki in Helsinki in September, and the Academy Chamber String Ensemble returns to the USA for a 10 date Autumn Tour after a performance 4th October at St Martin-in-the-Fields. The Academy concludes a European Tour with Joshua Bell with a performance at Southbank’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, 26th January 2023. Further touring for 2023 includes a tour of the USA with Johannes Moser and Avi Avital, the USA with the Academy Chamber Wind Ensemble and Europe with Seong Jin Cho.
To find out more about the Academy of St Martin in the Fields please visit www.asmf.org, or connect with the orchestra on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. If you are interested in getting involved and supporting the work of the Academy, please contact
