Joshua Bell conducts Beethoven Symphonies No. 4 and 7
This is Joshua Bell’s first recording as Music Director of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, where he both directs and plays from the concertmaster’s chair. Recorded in London, this is the first Beethoven release, as they plan to record the composer’s entire cycle.
Mr. Bell is the first American and first person to hold the title of Music Director since Sir Neville Marriner formed the orchestra in 1958.
On this CD, we get to hear:
Beethoven:
- Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60
- Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
Performed by The Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, conducted by Joshua Bell
The Washington Post wrote:
“Bell alternated playing along with the first violins and conducting (with great physical animation) from his seat, sculpting the air expressively with his bow to bring forth a wealth of interpretive detail from the musicians. This was as superb a Beethoven Fourth as I’ve heard, delivered by a conductor of tremendous promise and genuine ideas who also happens to be one heck of a violinist.”
Here is Me. Bell, conducting the orchestra in the slow movement of Beethoven’s Symphony #7:
And here he is again, conducting the same orchestra in Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy:
Tags: Joshua Bell, conductor, violinist, The Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Beethoven