Academy of St Martin in the Fields (GB)

About

Also known as: Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin‐in‐the‐Fields, Ensemble de chambre de l'Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London String Players, The Acadamy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, ASMF, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Few orchestras have racked up a recording history quite like the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Founded in London in 1959 by Neville Marriner and John Churchill as a small conductorless string group, the ASMF played a genuine role in the revival of Baroque performance in England before expanding its repertoire all the way through to contemporary works. The Amadeus soundtrack, recorded with Marriner in 1984, sold over 6.5 million copies and hit number one on the Billboard Classical Albums Chart, making it one of the most commercially successful classical recordings ever made. The orchestra is one of the most recorded chamber orchestras in the world, with more than 500 sessions across labels including Decca, EMI, Philips and Hyperion. Joshua Bell has been music director since 2011, with his contract extended through 2028. Murray Perahia has served as principal guest conductor since 2000, contributing as both pianist and conductor. The Chamber Ensemble, drawn from the orchestra's principal players and led by violinist Tomo Keller, keeps a separate but busy touring and recording life of its own.