Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

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Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

Background information
Also known as	ASM, ASMF
Origin	London, England, United Kingdom
Genre(s)	Classical
Occupation(s)	Chamber Orchestra
Years active	13 November 1959 - present
Label(s)	Argo, Capriccio, Chandos, Decca, EMI, Philips
Website	www.asmf.org
Members
Conductor Neville Marriner Artistic Director Kenneth Sillito Principal Guest Conductor Murray Perahia Chorus Conductor Johan Duijck

The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is an English chamber orchestra.

The group was founded in London by Sir Neville Marriner, attracting some of the finest players in London, many of whom considered themselves as refugees from conductors. Its name comes from Trafalgar Square's St Martin-in-the-Fields church, in which its first concert was performed, on November 13, 1959. The initial performances at St. Martin's church were as a small, conductorless string group, and played a key role in the revival of baroque performances in England. It has since expanded to include winds, but is of flexible size, changing its make-up to suit its repertoire, which ranges from the Baroque to contemporary works.

The orchestra’s first recording was for the L’Oiseau-Lyre label at Conway Hall on March 25, 1961. Other labels the orchestra has recorded for include Argo, Capriccio Records, Chandos Records, Decca Records, EMI, Hänssler Classic, and Philips Records. The orchestra has a vast discography, and it is the most recorded chamber orchestra in the world with over 500 sessions. Many recordings have been directed by Iona Brown and Kenneth Sillito when Marriner was absent.

As well as live performances and many recordings, the group has played on the film soundtracks, of Amadeus (1984), The English Patient, and Titanic (1997). The best-selling recording of the group is the Amadeus soundtrack.

The orchestra incorporated in February 1971 as “A.S.M. (Orchestra) Limited,” with Neville Marriner as chairman until 1992 when he was succeeded by Malcolm Latchem and from 1994, John Heley. Neville Marriner holds the title of Life President.

The associated Choir of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields was formed in 1975, making its debut in October of that year. Laszlo Heltay was the chorus master from the beginning, until his conducting student Johan Duijck's recent appointment. [1] It is regularly heard on European television singing UEFA Champions League Anthem.

[edit] Trivia

Neville Marriner continued to perform obbligatos and concertino solos with the orchestra until 1969, and led the orchestra on recordings until the autumn of 1970 when he laid down his bow to conduct the group with a baton.
The orchestra has also recorded under the “Argo Chamber Orchestra,” “London String Players”, and “London Strings” name.
The name of the orchestra was originally The Academy of St.-Martin-in-the-Fields. The hyphens were dropped in 1988.