Sir Neville Marriner, the renowned conductor and founder of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, presents a captivating collection of classical masterpieces with his album "Air". Released on October 23, 2025, under Warner Classics, this orchestral journey spans a generous 3 hours and 14 minutes, offering a rich tapestry of compositions from the Baroque to the late Romantic periods.
The album opens with the serene "Air" from Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3, setting the stage for a diverse exploration of timeless classics. Marriner's interpretations bring out the nuanced beauty of each piece, from the playful overtures of Mozart's "Così fan tutte" and "The Marriage of Figaro" to the majestic grandeur of Handel's "Water Music". The album also features enchanting excerpts from operas by Verdi, Puccini, and Mozart, showcasing Marriner's versatility and the orchestra's virtuosity.
Highlights include the delicate "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" from Bach's cantata "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben", the lively "Finale" from Mozart's "Haffner Symphony", and the intricate "Badinerie" from Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 2. The album also offers a taste of modern classics, such as Copland's "Appalachian Spring" and Shostakovich's "Romance" from "The Gadfly".
Throughout the album, Marriner's conducting shines, demonstrating his deep understanding and appreciation for each composition. "Air" is a testament to his enduring legacy in the world of classical music, offering both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the timeless elegance of these orchestral masterpieces.
Bach, JS: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: II. AirJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Così fan tutte, K. 588: OvertureWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056: I. —Johann Sebastian Bach, Andrei Gavrilov, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner, John Constable
Bach, JS: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1054: III. AllegroJohann Sebastian Bach, Andrei Gavrilov, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner, John Constable
Bach, JS / Orch. Marriner: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: X. Chorale. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"Johann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Celia Nicklin, Ian Watson
Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385 "Haffner": IV. Finale. PrestoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: II. RondeauJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, William Bennett
Bach, JS: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: III. SarabandeJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, William Bennett
Bach, JS: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: IV. Bourrées I & IIJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, William Bennett
Bach, JS: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: V. Polonaise & DoubleJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, William Bennett
Bach, JS: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: VI. MenuetJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, William Bennett
Bach, JS: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: VII. BadinerieJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, William Bennett
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: XI. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Shostakovich: Suite from The Gadfly, Op. 97a: VIII. Romance (Orch. Atovmyan)Dmitri Shostakovich, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Elgar: CarissimaEdward Elgar, Northern Sinfonia Orchestra, Sir Neville Marriner
Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-Flat Major, K. 495: II. Romance. Andante cantabileWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Barry Tuckwell, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-Flat Major, K. 495: III. Rondo. Allegro vivaceWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Barry Tuckwell, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Mozart: Sinfonia concertante for Violin and Viola in E-Flat Major, K. 364: III. PrestoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Bruno Giuranna, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Bach, JS: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 2: No. 10, SinfoniaJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Charpentier: Te Deum, H. 146: I. PréludeMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Il re pastore, K. 208: OvertureWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Verdi: Aida, Act 1: "Celeste Aida" (Instrumental Version, Arr. Pryce Jackman)Giuseppe Verdi, Sir Neville Marriner, Christopher Warren-Green, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Puccini: Madama Butterfly, Act 2: "Un bel dì vedremo" (Instrumental Version, Arr. Palmer)Giacomo Puccini, Sir Neville Marriner, Cynthia Millar, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Agrippina, HWV 6: OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in C Major, K. 373Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Josef Suk, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Schubert: Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in A Major, D. 438: I. AdagioFranz Schubert, Sir Neville Marriner, Josef Suk, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Copland: Suite from Appalachian Spring: VI. Meno mosso (1945 Version)Aaron Copland, Minnesota Orchestra, Sir Neville Marriner
Copland: Suite from Appalachian Spring: VII. Variations on a Shaker Hymn. Doppio movimento (1945 Version)Aaron Copland, Minnesota Orchestra, Sir Neville Marriner
Copland: Suite from Appalachian Spring: VIII. Moderato (1945 Version)Aaron Copland, Minnesota Orchestra, Sir Neville Marriner
Pachelbel: Canon and Gigue for Three Violins and Continuo in D Major: CanonJohann Pachelbel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Major, Hob. VIIb:2: II. AdagioJoseph Haydn, Lynn Harrell, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Hob. VIIb:1: III. Allegro moltoJoseph Haydn, Lynn Harrell, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major, RV 537: II. LargoAntonio Vivaldi, Sir Neville Marriner, Bernard Soustrot, Maurice André, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major, RV 537: III. AllegroAntonio Vivaldi, Sir Neville Marriner, Bernard Soustrot, Maurice André, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat Major, K. 543: IV. Finale. AllegroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 1: No. 1, Prelude. At the WeddingEdvard Grieg, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Stephen Shingles
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 3: No. 12, The Death of ÅseEdvard Grieg, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 5: No. 21, Prelude. Peer Gynt's HomecomingEdvard Grieg, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Dvořák: Nocturne, Op. 40, B. 47Antonín Dvořák, Sir Neville Marriner, Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Rimsky-Korsakov: The Tale of Tsar Saltan, Act 3: The Flight of the BumblebeeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Grieg: Holberg Suite, Op. 40: I. PraeludiumEdvard Grieg, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Don Giovanni, K. 527: OvertureWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Piano Concerto No. 6 in F Major, BWV 1057: II. AndanteJohann Sebastian Bach, Andrei Gavrilov, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner, John Constable, Lenore Smith, Susan Milan
Bach, JS: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: II. AdagioJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, George Malcolm
Bach, JS: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: III. AllegroJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, George Malcolm
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349: I. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349: IV. LentementGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Suppé: Dichter und Bauer: OvertureFranz von Suppé, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243: I. Chorus. "Magnificat anima mea Dominum"Johann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chorus
Vivaldi: Gloria in D Major, RV 589: I. Gloria in excelsis DeoAntonio Vivaldi, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chorus
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