Joshua Bell at NCPA: Violinist performs with renowned British chamber band

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The Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields presented a concert here in Beijing last weekend. It's part of the English chamber orchestra's fifth tour in China. And Joshua Bell, one of the world's most celebrated violinists, led the show at the National Center for the Performing Arts. Song Yaotian has the story.

Joshua Bell is on a familiar stage at the National Center for the Performing Arts. New to the experience is the band playing with him.

SONG YAOTIAN BEIJING "Grammy award-winning violinist Joshua Bell has been hailed by some as one of the great musicians on the planet. Tonight he plays alongside The Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, a world-renowned orchestra based out of London that he now serves as the music director. Their teaming up on stage is an opportunity that cult classic music fans will not want to miss."

Joshua Bell and the band played Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor and Tchaikovsky's Serenade for String Orchestra, and Piazzolla's The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. Their performance is part of the venue's May Music Festival.

Born in the US state of Indiana, Joshua Bell began taking violin lessons at the age of four after his mother discovered his interest toward the instrument. At the age of 14, Bell appeared as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Muti. Bell made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 17.

Bell won a Grammy Award in 1993 for his recording of Nicholas Maw's violin concerto which was dedicated to him.

The "Academy of St Martin in the Fields" was formed by Sir Neville Marriner in 1958 from a group of leading London musicians. The Academy gave its first performance in its namesake church in November 1959. The band is best known for playing the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning film Amadeus.

In May 2011, the orchestra announced the appointment of Joshua Bell as its new music director, the second person to hold the title in the orchestra's history. Under his leadership, the Academy retains the collegiate spirit and flexibility of the original small, conductor-less ensemble which has become an Academy hallmark.

AUDIENCE MEMBER "I'm from Sweden. And I'm here in Beijing working and I love this kind of concert. And I'm a big fan of Joshua Bell."

"Very good. Very suitable for the early summer evening."

"Joshua Bell's playing is penetrating. His solo performance is very in harmony with the band's performance."

Joshua Bell performed on a Stradivarius violin made in 1713. He has used the instrument since he first played on it at the Proms concert in 2001, and bought it immediately for a little under the 4 million US dollar asking price. CGTN.