There were greener pastures than that of The Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

Perth Concert Hall

February 21 & 22, 2014

Fed up with being told what to do by crabby conductors and looking for a greater degree of democracy, Neville Marriner, then leader of the London Symphony’s second violins, founded ASMF in 1958. Finally leaving the LSO in 1966, his position was filled by David Measham, soon to become a conducting stalwart in Perth throughout the 70’s and 80’s. With Marriner (who turns 90 this year!) the Academy went on to become the best known and most recorded chamber orchestra in the world. He still works with them on occasion, but the orchestra is now under the direction of Joshua Bell, and on this trip it was led by Tamas Andras with Michael Barenboim, son of Daniel as violin soloist.

Its hallmarks have always been scrupulous intonation and ensemble, but sometimes lacking in imagination and flair. Their recordings of romantic works such as the Dvořák Serenades and Grieg’s Holberg Suite for example, exude an air of efficiency but are a bit soulless, while their recordings of baroque composers such as Handel, can sound a bit breathless, lacking...