The German musician has performed frequently with the orchestra since 2012

Tomo-Keller

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields has named violinist Tomo Keller as its new leader, following a vote by membership. Keller, whose appointment comes at the end of a comprehensive search, has been a frequent guest leader and performer with the orchestra since the departure of former leader Ken Sillito in February 2012.

‘I’ve really enjoyed working alongside Tomo Keller, and the appointment of such a brilliant violinist as leader is a real coup for the Academy,’ said artistic director Joshua Bell. ‘He will bring vast experience and wonderful musicianship to the role, and I can’t wait to begin working with him again.’

Born in Stuttgart in 1974, Keller studied at Vienna’s University of Music and Performing Arts and at New York’s Juilliard School. The violinist served as assistant concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra from 2009 to 2015, and in 2014 became leader of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared with more than 20 orchestras as guest leader, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, DSO Berlin, SWR Stuttgart, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Read: Joshua Bell on performing and directing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto for the first time