Sir Neville Marriner, esteemed conductor, violinist and founder of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, has sadly passed away aged 92.
A statement from the academy said its founder had passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday 2 October.
Born on 15 April 1924 in Lincoln, Sir Neville studied at the Royal College of Music and the Paris Conservatoire.
He began his career as a violinist, playing first in a string quartet and trio, then in the London Symphony Orchestra.
It was during this period that he founded the Academy. Beginning as a group of friends who gathered to rehearse in Sir Neville’s front room, it gave its first performance in its namesake church in 1959.
The Academy now enjoys one of the largest discographies of any chamber orchestra worldwide, and its partnership with Sir Neville is the most recorded of any orchestra and conductor.
Honoured three times for his services to music in this country – most recently being made a Companion of Honour by Her Majesty The Queen in June 2015 – Sir Neville Marriner has also been awarded honours in France, Germany and Sweden.
Paul Aylieff, chairman of the Academy, said: ‘We are greatly saddened by today’s news. Sir Neville’s artistic and recording legacy, not only with the Academy but with orchestras and audiences worldwide is immense.
‘He will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him and the Academy will ensure it continues to be an excellent and fitting testament to Sir Neville.’
A statement from the academy said its founder had passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday 2 October.
Born on 15 April 1924 in Lincoln, Sir Neville studied at the Royal College of Music and the Paris Conservatoire.
He began his career as a violinist, playing first in a string quartet and trio, then in the London Symphony Orchestra.
It was during this period that he founded the Academy. Beginning as a group of friends who gathered to rehearse in Sir Neville’s front room, it gave its first performance in its namesake church in 1959.
The Academy now enjoys one of the largest discographies of any chamber orchestra worldwide, and its partnership with Sir Neville is the most recorded of any orchestra and conductor.
Honoured three times for his services to music in this country – most recently being made a Companion of Honour by Her Majesty The Queen in June 2015 – Sir Neville Marriner has also been awarded honours in France, Germany and Sweden.
Paul Aylieff, chairman of the Academy, said: ‘We are greatly saddened by today’s news. Sir Neville’s artistic and recording legacy, not only with the Academy but with orchestras and audiences worldwide is immense.
‘He will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him and the Academy will ensure it continues to be an excellent and fitting testament to Sir Neville.’
