Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra

Founded in 1960 by Prof. Saulius Sondeckis, the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra was among the first of Lithuanian orchestras to make its début in the West at the Echternach Festival in Luxembourg in 1976, which embarked it on an international career. The Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra has toured almost every European country, North and South Americas, Japan, Cuba, Canada, Egypt and the Republic of South Africa. They have appeared at the Berlin Philharmonic, Musikverein in Vienna, Royal Festival Hall in London, Pleyel Hall in Paris, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, as well as concert halls in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and at many festivals including the Salzburg Festival and Yehudi Menuhin Festival. Mozart’s music occupies a special place in the LCO’s repertoire – the Orchestra has recorded all the symphonies, Don Giovanni, has performed all of the concerti. Recently, the LCO has focused on Bach’s music as well as works by contemporary Lithuanian and foreign composers.

The LCO repeatedly appeared with Mstislav Rostropovitch, Yuri Bashmet, Gidon Kremer, Igor Oistrakh, Yvgeny Kissin, David Geringas and Yehudi Menuhin, amongst many others.

Lord Yehudi Menuhin led the Orchestra in 59 performances and recorded Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s The Creation.

In December 2008, distinguished violinist Sergej Krylov was appointed the Orchestra’s Artistic Director and Principal Conductor.