The Academy of St Martin in the Fields will present a concert here in Beijing on Saturday. This is the fifth time that the English chamber orchestra tours in China. And Joshua Bell, one of the world's most celebrated violinists, will lead the show at the National Center for the Performing Arts. Now let's learn more about the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is an English chamber orchestra based in London, renowned for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world's greatest orchestral music. It 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 Academy quickly gained an enviable international reputation for its distinctive, polished and refined sound.  It boasts unrivalled live performances and a vast recording output – highlights of which include the 1969 best-seller Vivaldi's Four Seasons and the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning film Amadeus.  

With over 500 releases in a much-vaunted discography and a comprehensive international touring program, the name and sound of the Academy is known and loved by classical audiences throughout the world.  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.