Academy of St Martin in the Fields to feature in two new episodes of ‘The Rest Is History’  

Podcast episodes to highlight the lives of Mozart and Beethoven 

Featuring Life & Works of Mozart – Available 30 December

Featuring Life & Works of Beethoven – Available 2 January

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF), one of the world’s finest orchestras, will feature on two episodes of The Rest Is History podcast to be released on 30 December 2024 and 2 January 2025.

Recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall on 18 October, the episodes are hosted by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook as they explore the lives of two of history’s greatest and best-known composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.

The Rest Is History, is one of the most popular history podcasts in the UK. Since its launch in November 2020, the podcast boasts over 12 million downloads a month and has a dedicated following across the world. Each episode sees a new topic addressed by hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook as they discuss every historical topic under the sun - from the birth of modernity to Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon - distilling the entirety of human history, or, as much as they can fit into about fifty minutes.

For the first time in its over-700-episode history, these two episodes feature recordings by a live orchestra. These episodes feature ASMF, led by first violinist Stephanie Gonley, and the Philharmonia Chorus, conducted by Oliver Zeffman. Also highlighted in these episodes is the virtuosity of pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen, as well as the powerful voices of soprano Nardus Williams, mezzo-soprano Katie Stevenson, tenor Andrew Staples and bass William Thomas. ASMF’s collaboration with the Rest is History represents the orchestra’s commitment to growing the audience for classical music, as well as continuing to foster an artistic responsibility of collaborating with world-renowned artists and thinkers.

Repertoire across these episodes include Mozart’s Symphony No 25, best known from the opening of Milos Forman’s 1984 film, Amadeus – a film heavily associated with the orchestra, who recorded the original soundtrack under the baton of ASMF’s founder Sir Neville Marriner. Mozart’s Violin Sonata in E Minor is highlighted in the episode to be released on 30 December as well as the ‘Introitus’ from the composer’s Requiem. An episode on Beethoven, to be released on 2 January, features the beloved first movement from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, as well as the ‘Prisoner Chorus’ from the composer’s only opera Fidelio and the final movement of Symphony No. 9.

"An unfussy demonstration that the composers who have rubbed alongside the regular stars of The Rest Is History for centuries — kings, queens, generals and politicians — are no more out of reach than them." – The Times

“Sandbrook, Holland, Zeffman and the gifted musicians don't miss a beat throughout the entire production. An unlikely experience, but a special one.” – Broadway World