Former Director of Minnesota Orchestra Dies

LONDON (AP) — The Academy of St Martin in the Fields orchestra says its founder, conductor Neville Marriner, has died at 92.

Marriner was music director of the Minnesota Orchestra from 1979 to 1986.

The musician founded the academy with the dream of creating a chamber ensemble, and started by having a group of friends gather to rehearse in his living room. The academy first performed at the London church on Trafalgar Square, which gave the ensemble its name, in 1959.

The group enjoys one of the largest discographies of any chamber orchestra worldwide.

Marriner worked with orchestras around the world. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1979 and a Knight Bachelor in 1985. Last year he was made a Companion of Honour for his services to music.