London: British violinist and conductor Neville Marriner, whose soundtrack for the 1984 film Amadeus sold 6.5 million copies, died on Sunday at the age of 92, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields chamber orchestra of which he was a founder announced.
US virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell, the first person to succeed Marriner as the orchestra's music director, led the tributes.
"He was one of the most extraordinary human beings I have ever known. I will remember him for his brilliance, his integrity, and his humour, both on and off the concert platform," Bell said in a statement.
The London-based orchestra said Marriner died early on Sunday.
Marriner, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, founded the Academy in 1958, initially gathering musicians at his home for rehearsals. He remained music director until 2011 when he was named life president.
Notable successes included Marriner and the Academy's recording of the music for the original soundtrack of the 1984 box office smash Amadeus.
The best-selling album became one of the most popular classical music recordings of all time.
Born on April 15, 1924, in Lincoln in eastern England, Marriner went on to study at the Royal College of Music and the Paris Conservatoire.
He began his career as a violinist, performing with the London Symphony Orchestra, and turned to conducting in 1969 after studying in the US.
There he founded the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and in 1979 became music director and principal conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra and Germany's Sudwest Deutsche Radio Orchestra.
During his long career Marriner also worked with orchestras across Europe, the US and in Japan.
Paul Aylieff, chairman of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, celebrated Marriner's career and said he would be greatly missed.
"We are greatly saddened by today's news. Sir Neville's artistic and recording legacy, not only with the Academy but with orchestras and audiences worldwide is immense," he said.