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Ensemble

 

The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that was founded in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner. The ensemble is named after the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, where the group gave its first performance. The Academy quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and innovative programming, and it has since become one of the most respected and beloved classical music ensembles in the world. The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields was founded by Sir Neville Marriner, a British conductor and violinist who had previously played with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra. Marriner was inspired to start the ensemble after being asked to conduct a concert at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and he decided to form a group of musicians who could perform together on a regular basis. The ensemble's first performance took place on November 13, 1959, and it was an immediate success. Over the years, the Academy has had many different members, but some of its most notable musicians have included Iona Brown, Kenneth Sillito, and William Bennett. Iona Brown was a violinist and conductor who served as the Academy's leader from 1974 to 1980, and she was instrumental in expanding the ensemble's repertoire and bringing it to new audiences. Kenneth Sillito was a violinist who played with the Academy for over 40 years, and he was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to blend seamlessly with the other musicians in the ensemble. William Bennett was a flutist who played with the Academy for many years, and he was known for his beautiful tone and his ability to bring out the nuances of the music. The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields has performed all over the world, and it has played in some of the most prestigious concert halls and festivals in the world. Some of the ensemble's most notable performances include its appearance at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, its performance at the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and its performance at the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997. The Academy has also performed at the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh Festival, and the BBC Proms, among many other venues and events. The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields has won many awards and accolades over the years, including several Grammy Awards and a Queen's Award for Export Achievement. The ensemble has also been praised for its recordings, which include over 500 albums and have sold millions of copies worldwide. Some of the Academy's most popular recordings include its performances of Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, and Handel's Water Music. In addition to its performances and recordings, the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is also known for its educational and outreach programs. The ensemble has a long history of working with young musicians and providing them with opportunities to learn and perform alongside the professional musicians in the ensemble. The Academy also runs a program called "Music for Autism," which provides concerts and music therapy sessions for children and adults with autism. Overall, the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is a truly remarkable classical music ensemble that has had a profound impact on the world of music.

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