We are saddened by the news of the death of our Patron, Sir Neville Marriner.
Sir Neville died in his sleep on 2 October, aged 92.
Sir Neville was a key figure in the development of the modern chamber orchestra. He founded the Academy of St Martin’s in the Fields, where he was Music Director for over half a century. The Academy gave its first performance in its namesake church in 1959 and rose to become Britain’s most eminent chamber orchestra and one of the most recorded orchestras in the world.
In addition to his work at the Academy, Sir Neville also founded the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. At various times, he held Principal Conductor positions at the Minneapolis Symphony and the Südwest Deutsche Radio Orchester.
Sir Neville conducted Melbourne Chamber Orchestra in a festival during its debut season at the Melbourne Recital Centre in 2009. Our Artistic Director, William Hennessy, was a member of the Academy of St Martin’s in the Fields Orchestra and is heard on many of the Academy’s recordings.
Further reading:
Obituary on ASMF website
Obituary in the London Telegraph