Academy of St Martin in the Fields Extends Joshua Bell's Tenure

The violinist has led the London-based orchestra since 2011

The award-winning chamber orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, has announced that its Music Director Joshua Bell will extend his contract for four seasons through August 2028.

The announcement comes during a week-long celebration of the centenary of ASMF’s founder, Sir Neville Marriner.

This month, Joshua Bell directs the orchestra from the violin in performances of Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G Minor (Monday 15 April, St Martin-in-the-Fields), Mendelssohn’s Octet in E-Flat Major (Tuesday 16 April, Wigmore Hall), the European premiere of Vince Mendoza’s Flight of Moving Days (commissioned by ASMF) and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 (Thursday 18 April, Royal Festival Hall).

“I am delighted to be extending my contract as Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields for another four seasons," Bell said. "My work with the ASMF has enriched my life in countless ways and I love them not only as one of the great orchestras of the world, but as a group of extraordinary individuals.

“It is an honour to announce this extension during the centenary celebration of Sir Neville Marriner, a man who not only helped launch my own recording career but who, over the course of half a century, fostered the Academy’s exceptional standard of excellence in orchestral playing that I strive to uphold today. I am excited to continue my work with this treasured orchestra, and look forward to many more exciting and ambitious projects.”

“It has been extremely inspiring to work with Joshua Bell and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields these last two seasons," said Annie Lydford, Chief Executive of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. "Joshua has a deep understanding of the DNA of this orchestra and its musicians, and the performances that they create together are second to none. There isn’t another artist who is better placed to continue to inspire and challenge us, and who can combine exquisite solo playing with directing such a range of music – from Bach to Brahms and Mozart to Mendoza – in the way that Joshua does. As a touring orchestra, we travel extensively with our Music Director, and the long-held relationship between Joshua and our players sits at the heart of this successful partnership. I am so pleased that we will continue our work with Joshua, who is not only this orchestra’s great artistic leader and champion, but also its friend.”

At 14, Bell debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra with Riccardo Muti and made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 17 with the St. Louis Symphony. A student of legendary Russian pedagogue Josef Gingold, Bell signed with his first label, London Decca, at the age of 18, and received the highly acclaimed Avery Fisher Career Grant.

As an exclusive Sony Classical artist, Bell continues engagements as soloist, recital, chamber musician, and conductor. He has recorded more than 40 albums, garnering Grammy, Mercury, Gramophone, and Opus Klassik awards.