Marriner 100: the Academy of St Martin in the Fields celebrates the centenary of its founder

Sir Neville Marriner

Next month, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields is celebrating the centenary of its founder Sir Neville Marriner (1924-2016) with a programme events beginning on what would have been Sir Neville's 100th birthday (15 April 2024), with concerts celebrating both Marriner and the orchestra's long-standing relationships with other musicians.

Things begin with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields at its spiritual home, St Martin in the Fields, with direction shared between Joshua Bell, Tomo Keller and Jaime Martin in a programme of Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Vaughan Williams and Errollyn Wallen. Then on 16 April, the ASMF Chamber Ensemble is joined by Joshua Bell and pianist Murray Perrahia, in what will be his first performance in six years, at Wigmore Hall for Mendelssohn, Schumann and Sally Beamish [see my 2019 interview where Sally Beamish talks about her personal links with the orchestra]. 

There is a centenary gala concert at the Royal Festival Hall on 18 April, when the orchestra is joined directed by Joshua Bell and Tomo Keller, with soloists Douglas Marriner (Sir Neville’s grandson), jazz drum kit, and Sarah Jane Brandon, soprano, for a programme of Mozart, Saint-Saens and Brahms, plus the European premiere of Vince Mendoza's Flight of Moving Days. Things move to Lincoln, Sir Neville's birthplace, on 24 April when Tomo Keller directs a programme of Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Vaughan Williams.

There is also an exhibition in the crypt of St Martin in the Fields, celebrating Sir Neville’s career and the continuing association of the orchestra with the venue. This will feature record sleeves and boxes, photographs, awards, tributes from friends and colleagues, and memorabilia from a life of great achievement and personal enjoyment.

A digital SoundWalk, A City Full of Stories, celebrating the trailblazing musical efforts of Sir Neville, ASMF will also mark 25 years of working with people who have experienced homelessness. The SoundWalk is created and recorded by musicians from ASMF and the Royal Academy of Music with people at The Connection at St. Martin’s.

Sir Neville's birthday will also be marked on BBC Radio 3 so that on his birthday, 15 April, every piece of music from 7am to 7pm will feature Sir Neville on the podium. 

Full details from the Academy of St Martin in the Fields' website.