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Joshua Bell

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Joshua Bell BIO

With more than 40 CDs recorded during a career spanning over thirty years as a soloist, chamber musician, conductor and director, Joshua Bell is one of the most celebrated violinists of his era. Since 2011, Bell has also served as Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, succeeding Sir Neville Marriner, who formed the orchestra in 1958.

Just released is an exclusive single recording of Chopin’s “Nocturne in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2 featuring a new arrangement by Bell for violin and chamber orchestra, available only on Amazon Music HD, a new tier premium quality streaming audio from Amazon Music.

Bell recently engaged in two tech projects: With Embertone, a leader in virtual instrument sampling, the Joshua Bell Virtual Violin was created for producers, artists, engineers and composers. Bell also teamed up with Sony for the Joshua Bell VR Experience featuring Bell performing Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 1 in full 360-degree VR. This experience is available for free download for SONY PlayStation 4 VR.

Bell’s interests range from repertoire hallmarks to commissioned works, including Nicholas Maw’s Violin Concerto, for which Bell received the GRAMMY® award. Committed to expanding music’s cultural impact, Bell has collaborated with peers including Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Frankie Moreno, and Josh Groban.

Recently, Bell joined cellist Steven Isserlis and pianist Jeremy Denk to record Mendelssohn’s piano trios, slated for release in early 2020. He also collaborated with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra on a record featuring the Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto, to be released in fall 2020.

Bell maintains an avid interest in film music, having recorded many soundtracks for the cinema. He recently commemorated the 20th anniversary of The Red Violin (1998) in 2018-19. The film’s Academy-Award winning soundtrack features Bell as soloist and in 2018, Bell brought the film with live orchestra to summer festivals and the New York Philharmonic.

An exclusive Sony Classical artist, his many recordings have garnered GRAMMY®, Mercury®, Gramophone and OPUS KLASSIK awards. Bell was at last year’s GRAMMY Awards show, having received a nomination for his release with The Academy of St Martin in the Fields of Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy and G minor Violin Concerto.

In 2007, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post story on Bell performing incognito in a Washington, D.C. metro station, sparked a conversation regarding art and context and inspired Kathy Stinson’s 2013 children’s book, The Man With The Violin. In 2017, Bell debuted Man With The Violin family concert, including a newly-commissioned animated film, with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.

Born in Bloomington, Indiana, Bell began violin at age four, and at age twelve, began studies with Josef Gingold. At 14, Bell debuted with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and debuted at Carnegie Hall at age 17 with the St. Louis Symphony. Bell received the 2007 Avery Fisher Prize and has been named Musical America’s 2010 “Instrumentalist of the Year” and an “Indiana Living Legend.”

Bell performs on the 1713 Huberman Stradivarius violin, with a François Tourte 18th-Century bow.

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$2.5 Million Established for Arts Education Endowment at The Soraya


A nearly sold-out audience of 1500  performing arts lovers joined  together on Thursday, April 4 to celebrate two individuals most responsible for establishing the dazzling Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts as a San Fernando Valley cultural cornerstone, former CSUN President, Jolene Koester, and noted violinist Joshua Bell. 

Philharmonic Society Presents VOICE & THE VIOLIN With Joshua Bell & Larisa Martínez


Experience the enchanting blend of voice and violin with the world-renowned duo Larisa Martínez and Joshua Bell at the Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

2024 Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival to Take Place This Summer


Celebrate the 45th Anniversary Season of the CAPE COD CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL this summer! See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.

The Music Academy Of The West to Present 2024 Summer Music Festival


Discover the magic of music at the 2024 Summer Music Festival by the Music Academy of the West. Experience unique performances, concerts, and masterclasses from June 12 to August 3. Learn how to purchase tickets.

The Music Academy Of The West Announces 2024 Summer Music Festival


Experience the magic of music at the 2024 Summer Music Festival hosted by the Music Academy of the West.

Wigmore Hall Reveals 2024/25 Concert Season & Launches the Director's Fund


Wigmore Hall Director John Gilhooly has announced the 2024/25 Season. With more than 550 concerts, featuring more than 2,600 musicians, spanning September 2024 to July 2025, Wigmore Hall presents the largest classical music programme in the UK.

Guest Conductors Lead Spring Concerts At San Francisco Symphony


Guest conductors Karina Canellakis, Gustavo Gimeno, Marta Gardolińska, and Ryan Bancroft lead the San Francisco Symphony in four weeks of concerts at Davies Symphony Hall in April and May.

The Soraya's Gala Evening Honors Joshua Bell and former CSUN President Jolene Koester


The ever-popular Academy of St Martin in the Fields, under the musical direction of renowned violin soloist Joshua Bell, returns to The Soraya with a program offering operatic highlights from Rossini and Mozart, plus symphonic work by Brahms, Mendelssohn and Saint-Saëns.

Cynthia Erivo & More to be Featured in New York Philharmonic 2024-25 Season


The New York Philharmonic has revealed its 2024–25 season. Learn more about the season!

World Premiere, DC Premieres & More Set for National Symphony Orchestra 2024-25 Season


The National Symphony Orchestra has unveiled its 2024–2025 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Maria Schneider Orchestra, Christian Sands Trio, and More Play Birdland This Month


Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater have announced programming running March 11th - March 24th. Performers appearing at Birdland Jazz Club include Maria Schneider Orchestra, Emilio Solla & La Inestable de Brooklyn, Christian Sands Trio, and Canadian Jazz Collective.

New Jersey Symphony And Hackensack Meridian Health Announce Continued Partnership


Explore the ongoing partnership between the New Jersey Symphony and Hackensack Meridian Health, as they continue to foster a love for music and promote well-being in the community.

Linda Purl and Diva Jazz Orchestra Bring BIG BAND ROMANCE to Birdland in April


Birdland has announced that singer/actress Linda Purl, joined with internationally, acclaimed DIVA Jazz Orchestra, returns to its historic stage on Monday April 1 at 7pm.

Artist Series Concerts Of Sarasota Hosts Four Duos In April


Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota will present four concerts in April, all featuring duos. Learn more about the upcoming concert lineup here!

San José Chamber Orchestra Presents MANDOLIN MADNESS March 17 With A World Premiere Concerto


San José Chamber Orchestra presents MANDOLIN MADNESS on March 17 featuring a World Premiere concerto for two mandolins and orchestra.

New Jersey Symphony Presents Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony


Experience Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony with the New Jersey Symphony, conducted by Xian Zhang. Featuring Tom Borrow on Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 24.

Palm Beach Symphony To Present Piano Virtuoso Emanuel Ax And A World Premiere


Palm Beach Symphony celebrates its 50th Anniversary Season with Piano Virtuoso Emanuel Ax and a World Premiere. The concert features a new 6 p.m. concert time and the annual gala.

Christian McBride Releases New Single With Edgar Meyer 'Philly Slop'


8-time GRAMMY Award winner Christian McBride has shared a new single “Philly Slop,” recorded with renowned Bassist and composer Edgar Meyer, from the duo's upcoming album But Who's Gonna Play The Melody?. Plus, check out upcoming tour dates!

Artist Series Concerts Of Sarasota Presents March Programs For A Variety For Music Lovers


Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents four concerts in March, all featuring emerging artists.

Los Angeles Philharmonic Reveals 2024 Hollywood Bowl Summer Season


The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced the 2024 Hollywood Bowl summer season with performances at the world-renowned amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills from June to September 2024. Learn more about the lineup here!

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