The Academy of St Martin in the Fields Strike a Chord in Belgravia

07/02/2019 @ Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square, SW1X8PH

We are delighted to partner with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, one of the most prestigious chamber orchestras worldwide, for a special event that opens our 2019 Enescu Concerts Series. The evening features violinist Martin Burgess, violist Fiona Bonds and cellist Will Schofield, who will be presenting an attractive selection of famous and lesser-known works by Enescu, Beethoven, Schubert and Dohnányi. The live performance will be preceded by an exclusive screening of excerpts from the Academy’s 2017 performance at the George Enescu International Festival in Bucharest, including Bruch’s Violin Concerto performed by Joshua Bell.

Programme:

Film screening 40'

Ern? Dohnányi - Serenade for String Trio Op 10, 1st mvt - March

Franz Schubert - Trio in B-flat major D471 - Allegro

Ludwig van Beethoven - String Trio in E-flat major Op 3, 1st mvt - Allegro con Brio

George Enescu - Aubade for String Trio

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras, renowned for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world’s greatest orchestral music. Formed by Sir Neville Marriner in 1958 from a group of leading London musicians, the Academy gave its first performance in its namesake church in November 1959. Today the Academy is led by Music Director and virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell, retaining the collegiate spirit and flexibility of the original small, conductor-less ensemble which has become an Academy hallmark. Under Bell’s direction, and with the support of Leader/Director Tomo Keller and Principal Guest Conductor Murray Perahia, the Academy continues to push the boundaries of play-directed performance to new heights, presenting symphonic repertoire and chamber music on a grand scale at prestigious venues around the globe.

Martin Burgess (violin)

Martin began playing with the Academy in 1992, taking up the position of Principal Second Violin in 1998. Having studied with Emanuel Hurwitz and the Amadeus Quartet he brought with him the love of chamber music. He leads the Grammy nominated Emperor Quartet (winners of the prestigious Evian International String Quartet Competition). Most recently, Martin recorded and toured the world with Peter Gabriel.

Fiona Bonds (viola)

Fiona is Associate Principal Viola of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and enjoys a busy and diverse career outside the orchestra. She has recently been appointed Principal Viola of the City of London Sinfonia and is a founder member of the Grammy-nominated Emperor String Quartet, who have recently released a critically acclaimed disc of Benjamin Britten’s quartets.

Will Schofield (cello)

Will Schofield read music at Edinburgh University and went on to study with late Romanian cellist Radu Aldulescu in Rome and at the Menuhin Academy in Gstaad, Switzerland. Will has been cellist with the Grammy nominated Emperor String Quartet since the group was formed in 1992. He has played on numerous film soundtracks, and has collaborated with Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood on several projects, most notably the soundtrack to the 2007 movie There Will Be Blood.

When: Thursday 7 February 2019, 7pm

Where: Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH

Entrance is free but we kindly request you to book your ticket on EVENTBRITE.

Please note that seating is unreserved.