The Royal Conservatory of Music Mourns Sir Neville Marriner

The Royal Conservatory mourns Sir Neville Marriner, one of the 20th century's foremost musicians. The influential conductor, who led orchestras and operas the world over, was perhaps best known as the Founder and Life President of theAcademy of St Martin in the Fields, and for his countless and universally admired recordings with the ensemble. "Marriner stood as an inspiration to all musicians for his magisterial contribution to our field," said Dr. Peter Simon.

Mervon Mehta reminisced this morning, "I ran into Sir Neville in Vienna just a few months ago and was so glad to see him as vibrant and healthy as he had been at our first meeting. In 2006, I had booked the Academy of St Martin in the Field Orchestra to be conducted from the keyboard by the eminent pianist Murray Perahia. Alas, Perahia was forced to cancel due to injury and, at 82 years old, Sir Neville flew in from London to save the day. To fill in on piano, I suggested the young Curtis Institute prodigy, Yuja Wang. The concert marked Wang's major venue debut and was the beginning of a long relationship she enjoyed with Sir Neville. I am so grateful that his recordings will live on as a tribute to his musicianship."

On October 21, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble will appear in Koerner Hall for the first time in an already sold out performance, and The Conservatory is dedicating the concert to the memory of Sir Neville Marriner.