JOSHUA BELL has enchanted audiences worldwide with his breathtaking virtuosity and tone of rare beauty. His restless curiosity and multifaceted musical interests have taken him in exciting new directions that have earned him the rare title of “classical music superstar.”  Often referred to as the poet of the violin, Joshua is the recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize and named 2010 Instrumentalist of the Year by Musical America.  In addition he has been inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame, recognized as a young global leader by the World Economic Forum and serves on the artist committee of the Kennedy Center Honors and the Board of Directors of the New York Philharmonic. Most recently he was named Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

Joshua came to National attention at the age of 14 in a highly acclaimed orchestral debut with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra.  His Carnegie Hall debut and a recording contract soon followed which further confirmed his presence in the music world.  Today he is equally at home as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra leader and composer who performs his own cadenzas to several of the major concerto repertoire.

Now an exclusive artist for Sony Classical a MASTERWORKS label, Bell has recorded over 36 CDs which have garnered numerous awards including the Mercury, Grammy, Gramophone  and the ECHO Klassik Awards.  He is known for his performances on a variety of film scores including John Corigliano’s Oscar-winning sound track for The Red Violin and the much acclaimed soundtrack to Ladies in Lavender. His CD of French Sonatas with Jeremy Denk titled French Impressions will be released in January, 2012.

Acknowledged as a living legend by his home state of Indiana, Joshua received his first violin at age four, and was inspired by renowned violinist and pedagogue, Josef Gingold.  He holds an artist diploma from Indiana University and has received a Distinguished Alumni Service Award from the university as well as the Indiana Governor’s Arts Award.

Joshua Bell plays the 1713 “Gibson ex-Huberman” Stradivarius.

10 Things You May Not Know About Joshua Bell

In this exclusive audio podcast, Joshua Bell talks to The Independent’s Edward Seckerson about his relationship with the Academy and his role as Music Director.