Sony Classical's new disc featuring the venerable Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (ASMF) will be released on Feb. 12th; but this outing is different from any other ASMF recording. It's violinist Joshua Bell's first recorded appearance with the Academy as it's new music director.
This week on Crossover, Jill premieres this recording of Beethoven's 4th and 7th symphonies, and speaks with Josh about his role as music director of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.
http://youtu.be/Ilyb32X9BCQ
Bell first recorded with the ASMF under founder Sir Neville Marriner when he was only 18. In the press release announcing his appointment, Bell said, “Since then, the orchestra has come to feel like family to me, as we have shared so many cherished moments together, both musical and personal. Over the past several years, I have begun to explore the great symphonic repertoire with the ASMF and I am thrilled that I will have the opportunity to continue this collaboration under the official title of music director.”
Sir Neville continues with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, which he founded in 1958, as its "Life President." About Bell's appointment, which began with the 2011-2012 season, Marriner was quoted as saying, "Since 1986, when [Bell] first played with the ensemble, I recognized in him a kindred spirit, and I am sure he will feel the same as I do about the Academy. His appointment is in tune with the founding principles of the Academy.”
Joshua Bell has been a frequent guest on Crossover since the program premiered in the late 1990s. Over the years, we've been able to watch him grow from being a young violin virtuoso to the music director of one of the most revered ensembles in the world.
Join Jill and Josh for this special edition of Crossover, Saturday morning, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on WRTI-FM, with an encore broadcast the following Friday evening at 7 pm on our all-classical stream and WRTI HD-2.