Bravo! Vail to Feature Joshua Bell and Academy of St Martin in the Fields in 2026

May 6, 2025, 12:22 PM · The Bravo! Vail Music Festival announced Tuesday that violinist Joshua Bell and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields will return as chamber orchestra-in-residence for the final season of pianist Anne-Marie McDermott's tenure as the festival's Artistic Director, in 2026.

Violinist and Academy of St Martin in the Fields Music Director Joshua Bell; and pianist and Bravo! Vail Artistic Director Anne McDermott.

The London-based Academy will perform on June 25, 27, and 28 at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, Colorado. McDermott will join the orchestra to perform all five Beethoven piano concertos over two of the three concerts. The final date will feature Bell, the ensemble’s Music Director, in the dual role of soloist and conductor.

"When I performed Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields in 2023, the musical chemistry was immediate," McDermott said. "It is a dream come true for me to now explore all five of these iconic works with these musicians. It is also especially meaningful to welcome this wonderful ensemble back to the festival in my final summer as artistic director."

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields will also participate in an education and community engagement event, to be announced in spring 2026.

The Academy debuted at the Bravo! Vail in 2016 and has returned to the festival four times, most recently in 2023.

This year's chamber orchestra in residence at Bravo! Vail Music Festival 2025 is Chamber Orchestra of Europe, led by Matthias Pintscher. Their performances June 19 - 22 will be the group's debut at the festival. This year's festival will also feature Mexico's Sinfónica de Minería, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. Find more information about Bravo! Vail Music Festival here.

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Replies

Richard Pairaudeau

May 6, 2025 at 06:09 PM · A great line up of orchestras! Will Joshua Bell be playing the Beethoven violin concerto with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields? This would bring together all of Beethoven's solo concertos!

Laurie Niles

May 6, 2025 at 11:42 PM · That is a cool idea, Richard! And to be sure, the Academy will join them next year, in summer 2026.

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