Joshua Bell has extended his contract as music director at Academy of St Martin in the Fields. The virtuoso violinist, who has led the orchestra since 2011, will now stay on until at least 2023.
A celebrated performer who is much in-demand as a soloist, Bell is only the second person to hold the title of music director. He succeeded academy founder Neville Marriner.
“Since the start of my tenure in 2011, the academy has been my musical family, and each time we see each other it feels like both a homecoming and the start of a new adventure,” said Bell. “I’m already looking forward to many more exciting concerts and tours around the world with this incredible orchestra.”
Chief executive Alan Watt added: “Joshua Bell has led the academy on an exciting musical journey and on behalf of the academy – our musicians, staff and board – I’m delighted that today we are announcing his contract extension. I’m thrilled that we’ll be continuing our close collaboration with this extraordinary musician into 2023 and look forward to inspiring new audiences around the world together.”
Upcoming concerts led by Bell include Usher Hall, Edinburgh (19 January, 2020) and Cadogan Hall, London (20 January) with a programme of Bach’s Violin Concerto in A Minor and Concerto No 3 in G Major; Schubert’s Death and the Maiden; and Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. After that the group heads on a 16-date tour to the US, with stops in Miami, Newark, Boston and San Francisco to name just four.
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