The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

at: Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall

10/7/2006 5:30 PM

ROCHESTER, MN - Fidelity Investments, Arts Midwest, Charter Communications and Minnesota Public Radio present one of the world?s finest classical chamber ensembles, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at 7:30 PM in the Mayo Civic Center - Presentation Hall.



Join us for an evening of classical music from this remarkable group of eight principal players from the world famous Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Under the leadership of violinist Kenneth Sillito, this ensemble is dedicated to creating dynamic performances of larger chamber works without a conductor. The performance will feature selections from the ensemble?s latest CD including Mendelssohn?s Octet in E flat major Op. 20 and Raff?s Octet in C major Op. 176.



The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields was formed in 1959 by a group of eleven enthusiastic musicians with the aim of performing in public without a conductor. Their first three recordings led to a succession of long-term contracts, and the Academy quickly took their place among the most recorded ensembles in history. As the repertoire expanded from Baroque to Mozart, Bartok and Beethoven, so it became necessary for the principal violin, Neville Marriner, to conduct the larger orchestra.



The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble was created in 1967 to perform the larger chamber works?from quintets to octets?with players who customarily work together, instead of the usual string quartet with additional guests. Drawn from the principal players of the orchestra, the Chamber Ensemble tours as a string octet, string sextet, and in other configurations including winds. Its touring commitments are extensive, with annual visits to France, Germany, and Spain, and frequent tours to North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan.



The Ensemble's fall 2006 North American tour brings them to 12 cities, including (among others) Pasadena, Stanford, Buffalo, Daytona, and Rochester, MN.



Contracts with Philips Classics, Hyperion, and Chandos have led to the release of over thirty CDs by the Chamber Ensemble.



Single tickets are $25 & $18, with a variety of discounts available, and can be purchased at Riverside Concerts in City Hall, the Mayo Civic Center and all Ticketmaster outlets including Macy's, charge by phone through Riverside Concerts (members only) at (507)-285-8076 or (800) 657-3980 or through Ticketmaster at (507) 252-1010, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Full and partial season ticket packages are also available at Riverside Concerts in City Hall only. Riverside Concerts Box Office hours are Monday ? Friday, 9am ? 4pm.



Tune in to Government Channel 19 for a sneak preview airing daily at 7am, 12 noon, 6pm and 11pm. For more information, call (507) 285-8076 or (800) 657-3980 or visit us online at www.riversideconcerts.com.