Joshua Bell and Academy of St Martin in the Fields by Christian Meuwly
By Jeff Maisey
The world’s most in-demand violinist will lead the legendary Academy of St Martin in the Fields through a program featuring Brahms and Schumann March 7 at CNU’s Ferguson Center and March 8 at Sandler Center for the Arts.
In advance of these performances, presented by Virginia Arts Festival, I had the opportunity to pose a few questions to Joshua Bell.
VEER: What continues to inspire you about working with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields?
Joshua Bell: What really inspires me is the people. Over the years, the orchestra has become a group of close friends and there’s a genuine joy in rehearsing and discovering the music together. We approach even large symphonic works with a chamber-music approach, listening closely, responding to one another and shaping the music collaboratively. That sense of trust makes every performance feel alive.
VEER: This program centres on music by Brahms and Schumann, what draws you to paring these composers?
Joshua Bell: Brahms and Schumann naturally belong together. They were close personally and artistically and their music balances beautifully. Brahms has this incredible depth, richness and weight, while Schumann brings optimism, lightness and an amazing sense of life. Placing them on the same program allows each composer to highlight something essential about the other.
VEER: You lead the orchestra while playing. How does that influence the performance on the stage?
Joshua Bell: Leading from the chair creates a very different dynamic on stage. It forces everyone to listen more closely, to play as chamber music. There’s no sense of sitting back or relying on someone else, every player has real agency. The orchestra responds instinctively and the result is something that feels spontaneous, engaged and joyful.
VEER: You perform on the ‘Gibson ex-Huberman’ Stradivarius. What does it mean to travel and perform with an instrument of that history?
Joshua Bell: It’s an extraordinary responsibility and privilege. That violin carries centuries of history and every time I play it, I feel connected to the musicians who came before me. Traveling with it reminds me that my role is to simply keep that voice alive and share it as honestly as I can. I count myself incredibly lucky to be its caretaker.
VEER: When you’re rehearsing, what are you most focused on during the process?
Joshua Bell: I think a lot about flow and pacing. How the piece unfolds over time and how one idea leads to next. Rehearsals are about shaping the architecture of the music, so it feels effortless and organic. Ideally, the audience shouldn’t be aware of the mechanics at all. They should simply feel carried along by the music.
VEER: What do you hope audiences experience when they come to one of your concerts?
Joshua Bell: I hope they feel moved and energized. You should leave with a smile and a sense of joy. Ultimately, our goal is to take the audience breath away and remind them why this music has endured.
VEER: Congratulations on the honour recently bestowed on you by King Charles III. What did this recognition mean to you?
Joshua Bell: It was a profound honour, leading the Academy of St Martin in the Fields for nearly fifteen years has been one of the great privileges of my career and this extraordinary orchestra has always made me feel at home in a country so rich in history and tradition. I’m deeply grateful for the distinction, which reflects the many years of music-making I’ve been fortunate to share with these remarkable musicians.
For tickets, visit vafest.org