Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Chamber Ensemble

VIDEO

Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamb...

06:10

Introducing the Chamber Ensemble

03:19

Mendelssohn: Octet in E-flat Major_I. Allegro moderato_excerpt

06:03

Mendelssohn: Octet E-flat Major IV Presto

05:17

Schubert: Octet in F major, D.803 /Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble perform the 3rd Movement (Allegro Vivace) of Franz Schubert's Octet in F major, D.803. Tomo Keller & Harvey de Souza, violin Robert Smissen, viola Stephen Orton, cello Lynda Houghton, bass Stephen Stirling, horn Julie Price, bassoon James Burke, clarinet To find out more about the Academy Chamber Ensemble visit www.asmf.org/the-chamber-ensemble Filmed in 2019 at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Directed & edited by Guy Wigmore, Wash Media. Audio produced by Myles Eastwood.

PRESS ACCLAIM

"The Ensemble excelled in their ability to cohesively execute Mendelssohn's rhythmic and dynamic surprises, creating a delirious sense of forward momentum....This was relentless, bravura music-making of a high order, leaving one reeling at the scale of Mendelssohn's unique achievement."

Washington Classical Review

“an ensemble of first-rate musicians, technically superb, generously expressive, and obviously enjoying themselves.”

-Dallas Morning News

REPERTOIRE

WINDS & STRINGS PROGRAMS

OCTOBER 2025

Musicians: Tomo Keller, violin and leader

Harvey de Souza, violin; Robert Smissen, viola; Richard Harwood, cello; Lynda Houghton, double bass

Fiona Cross, clarinet; Julie Price, bassoon; Stephen Stirling , French horn

Please select one “second work” and one “final work” from the below, and advise us of your preference.

First work:

Huw Watkins: Short commissioned work

Second work:

Howard Ferguson: Octet, Op. 4 (1933)

OR (presenter choice)

Jean Francaix: Octet

Final work:

Schubert: Octet in F major for Winds & Strings, D.803

OR (presenter choice)

Beethoven: Septet in Eb-Major, Op. 20 (cl, hn, bsn, vln, vla, vcl, db)

ALL-STRINGS PROGRAMS

Offerings for October 3-20, 2024

PROGRAM 1

Shostakovich: Two Pieces for String Octet, Op. 11

Dvorak: Sextet for Strings in A-Major, Op. 48

--intermission—

Rheinhold Glière: Octet for Strings in D-Major, Op. 5

PROGRAM 2

Shostakovich: Two Pieces for String Octet, Op. 11

Erwin Schulhoff: Sextet for Strings (1924)

--intermission—

Mendelssohn: Octet for strings in Eb-Major, Op. 20

BIOGRAPHY

The Academy Chamber Ensemble was formed in 1967, drawing its membership from the world-renowned chamber orchestra the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, which was itself founded by Sir Neville Marriner in 1958 and is currently led by Music Director Joshua Bell. The purpose behind the formation of the Chamber Ensemble was to perform the larger scale chamber music repertoire with players who customarily worked together, instead of the usual string quartet with additional guests. Drawn from the principal players of the orchestra and play-directed by Academy Director / Leader Tomo Keller, the Chamber Ensemble now performs in multiple configurations from wind trios to string octets. Its touring commitments are extensive and include regular tours of Europe and North America, whilst recording contracts with Philips Classics, Hyperion, and Chandos have led to the release of over thirty CDs. ASMF’s work in the USA is kindly supported by the American Friends of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields (President, Maria Cardamone).

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Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble