Academy of St Martin in the Fields

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 which continues today, with virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell as its Music Director. Together they explore symphonic repertoire to perform ‘chamber music on a grand scale’. Joshua has recently renewed his contract to continue as Music Director for a further three years through to summer 2017.

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.