To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of our founder Sir Neville Marriner, in our 2023/24 Season we will be welcoming friends and supporters around the world to enjoy a programme of special concerts and events, dedicated to his life and legacy.
This season is inspired by Sir Neville’s entrepreneurial founding of ASMF in 1958, and the many ways in which his musical achievements continue to influence the orchestra today and into its future.
At the heart of the festivities will be three concert performances in April 2024, all of which celebrate Sir Neville:
15 April
The first of these three concerts begin on the 100th anniversary of the conductor’s birth at the home of the
ensemble’s first performances, St Martin-in-the-Fields. Conductor Jaime Martin leads former
members of the Academy Chorus, and ASMF, for a concert celebrating the ensemble’s rich history, from the
first performances through to the present.
18 April
In a celebration of ASMF today, Music Director Joshua Bell leads the ensemble in a special gala concert at the Royal Festival Hall.
The programme includes the UK premiere of a new work by American composer and conductor Vince Mendoza for violin, jazz drum kit and orchestra – featuring Joshua Bell on solo violin, and Douglas Marriner, Sir Neville’s grandson, performing the solo for jazz drum kit.
24 April
The final concert will see ASMF return to the beautiful setting of Lincoln Cathedral in a celebration of the conductor’s birthplace and beginnings of his musical life.
The Marriner Fund
In addition to the dedicated concert series, ASMF will also channel the innovative spirit of its founder through the creation of a new charitable fund for player-led projects, which will be launched on 15 April 2024. Celebrating the legacy of the then-violinist’s entrepreneurial founding of ASMF, the Marriner Fund is the first of its kind in the UK.
The fund aims to empower ASMF’s members by proactively putting the ideas and projects of its players at the centre of the orchestra’s work, providing a space for creativity and innovation.