A “Once in a Lifetime” Musical Performance Comes to RiverCenter

THE ACADEMY OF ST. MARTIN IN THE FIELDS WITH JOSHUA BELL

By Scott Berson

There is something almost divine about watching a group of people pull off something beautiful together. A group of dedicated musicians, living, practicing, touring, rehearsing together, and then sitting down to share their work – it’s one of the most amazing sights (and sounds) in the world. Now, one of the world’s best musical ensembles will take the stage at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, thanks to the groundbreaking generosity of a legendary Columbus arts patron.

ASMF with JB (043)

Photo Benjamin Ealovega

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields, coming to town February 22, is one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras, renowned for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world’s greatest orchestral music.

Formed by Sir Neville Marriner in 1958 from a group of leading London musicians, the Academy gave its first performance in its namesake church in November 1959. Through unrivaled live performances and a vast recording output – highlights of which include the 1969 best-seller Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and the soundtrack to the Oscarwinning film Amadeus – the Academy quickly gained an international reputation for its distinctive, polished and refined sound. It is now led by Joshua Bell, a legendary violin virtuoso who has performed for three American presidents and the sitting justices of the Supreme Court of the United States.

“It’s a concert experience that is based upon really incredible foundations,” said Norm Easterbrook, Rivercenter Executive Director. “The players know each other extremely well and can pick up what each other are doing. Magic things can happen. They play off each other, stay in sync with each other, and that only comes about by spending time with each other and being excellent musicians.”

Columbus is no stranger to beautiful music. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts hosts the world-class student musicians from CSU’s Schwob School of Music dozens of times a year, connecting locals to spellbinding music both classic and contemporary. Easterbrook sees this as an amazing opportunity to show Schwob students where their talent can take them. RiverCenter has provided discounted tickets to CSU staff and students to make sure they can take advantage of that chance.

“(The Academy musicians) come from different backgrounds, but they pretty much live, eat and breathe together as performers, and that is something we hope students at CSU, who are excellent performers, will see as inspiration. This is the level they’re aspiring to, to know that it can be done,” Easterbrook said.

It’s not easy to bring this level of talent to Columbus. It was possible thanks to an ongoing endowment from Virginia Norman, a longtime supporter of classical music in the Valley, who dedicated part of her estate to create an ongoing fund for major classical performers to come to RiverCenter.

Joshua Bell

Portrait by Lisa Marie Mazzucco

“She felt it important that there be a high-quality classical music presence in Columbus, and she wanted the people of Columbus to have access to exceptional artists, and that’s why this fund was established,” Easterbrook said. The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, then, is just the first of what promises to be many exquisite performances to come.

“If you’ve never experienced classical music, don’t overlook this event,” Easterbrook implored. Child or adult, musician or not, he said, this is something everyone can find value in – a group of amazing people creating something amazing together. “Take a chance ,and come see this performance. This is a once in a lifetime event.”