Sir Neville Marriner turns 90

Sir Neville Marriner, the world-renowned conductor and founder and Life President of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, turns 90 in April.

He is to be honored with a special - and unique - concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Tuesday, April 1. The concert will consist of three works, performed by each of the Academy's three music directors. 

The current Academy Music Director, Joshua Bell, opens the evening’s program with the Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso by Saint-Saens. This is followed by Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.20 played by the recent Music Director and the Academy's Principal Guest Conductor, Murray Perahia. And finally, Sir Neville himself will conduct the orchestra in the Enigma Variations by Sir Edward Elgar, to conclude what will be an evening of joyous celebration of the past, present and future of the Academy. 

If you can't be at the concert in London on Tuesday evening, not to worry! The very next morning, Wednesday, April 2, WTJU's Classical Department will present a special show from 6-9 am: Sir Neville at 90, devoted to works conducted by Sir Neville Marriner, and during which the entire previous evening's concert will be reproduced with recordings by the exact same artists. 

There will also be an interview with Sir Neville just after 8 o'clock. Steve Myers will host this WTJU Special: Sir Neville at 90, Wednesday, April 2, 6-9 am, here on WTJU-Charlottesville.  We hope you'll join us for a very special program.