Celebrating John Constable
(1934-2026)
All of us at the Academy of St Martin in the Fields were deeply saddened to hear of the death of our friend John Constable, a remarkable man and musician whose playing and generosity of spirit enriched musical life in Britain and internationally for decades.
John was the Academy of St Martin in the Fields’ principal harpsichordist for 38 years, appearing with the orchestra in concerts and recordings that reached audiences across the globe. Over the years he collaborated with the orchestra under both our founder, Neville Marriner and our Music Director, Joshua Bell, performing in concerts and recordings that introduced countless listeners to this wonderful music.
Alongside his work with ASMF, John had a wide-ranging and distinguished career. For many decades he was a central figure in the London Sinfonietta, serving as principal pianist from its formation and performing a broad repertoire with leading ensembles. He was also a much-admired collaborator with singers and instrumentalists including Janet Baker, Philip Langridge, Felicity Palmer and Heinz Holliger.
Teaching was another important part of John’s life. As a professor at the Royal College of Music, he inspired generations of young musicians with his deep knowledge of repertoire and performance.
“My first memories of John were playing Handel Concerto Grossi with Iona Brown where we were in close contact in solo sections, and I remember his wife attending St Martin in the Fields concerts. She was also a cellist and was so complimentary and enthusiastic every time she heard us. We did many tours together with the chamber ensemble as well, and I remember pulling his leg when in France a programme would say Joan Constable, harpsichord! I can also see him on stage in costume wearing an 18th century wig when we did an early Mozart opera with Sir Neville which was televised and we spent almost a week in Vienna. We were so lucky.— Stephen Orton, former ASMF Principal cellist
I spent a lot of time with him dining as he would always look ahead on tour and book a restaurant. One time in Helsinki he fell and hurt his hand but still continued to play on the tour, I think he was playing piano as well as harpsichord. Sometimes he was only playing in the first half of the concert, or just Brandenburg 3 so I would join him afterwards for a drink at the hotel bar.
He was great company with a youthful enthusiastic attitude towards everything; he loved cricket and we would go to watch matches together. For many years Michael Laird, John and I would meet in London for lunch to discuss the English cricket team and take it in turns to choose our favourite restaurant. Daquise in South Kensington proved to be our favourite.”
“John always had such extraordinary enthusiasm for the orchestra. It’s been a great pleasure playing together all these years. Arriving at Heathrow at some ungodly hour he’d breeze through wearing his signature sheepskin coat, carrying his briefcase and declare that everything was “absolutely marvellous!”. He was everything that Neville asked for in his band – a fine musician with superb technical abilities, but also someone who wore their skills lightly, never moaned, and knew the best places to eat after a concert. He’ll be greatly missed by us all”— Nick Barr, ASMF Violist
Selected Recordings with the Academy of st Martin in the Fields
John Constable appeared on many recordings from the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and particularly in Baroque and Classical repertoire directed by Neville Marriner. These recordings remain part of the orchestra’s extensive catalogue and continue to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.