About Us
Our Vision
“Our mission at LCO is to change the way that you experience classical concerts. Working with inspirational international performers, we aim to break down the barriers between orchestra and audience so that we can all share the thrill of live music. Our programming combines the well-loved with the less familiar, so there’s always something new to discover, whether this is your first concert or your 1,000th.”
Our Heritage
You can learn a lot in almost 100 years. The London Chamber Orchestra (LCO) combines the skills of some of London’s most exceptional musicians with a rich history at the heart of 20th century classical music.
Having been founded in 1921, we’re the UK’s oldest professional chamber orchestra. We’ve premiered works by a Who’s Who of 20th-century composers, including Stravinsky, Bloch, Vaughan Williams, Prokofiev, Hindemith, Poulenc and Villa Lobos. And that continues today, with premieres by figures such as Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, James MacMillan and Graham Fitkin.
“Everyone on stage seems to be having a whale of a time and this feeds into a performance in which the music sounds new-minted.” The Guardian
And it’s not just about our London season at Cadogan Hall – we also tour globally, record with major labels and our own LCO Live imprint, and run a large-scale community project, Music Junction. We’re lucky enough to enjoys the Patronage of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, and we performed at the royal wedding in 2011 to about two billion people worldwide. And all that without receiving any public subsidy during our entire history.
Our People
Patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall
President of the Patron’s Circle The Countess of Chichester
Chairman, London Chamber Orchestra Trust Mark Redman
Christopher Warren-Green
Music Director & Principal Conductor
Vladimir Ashkenazy
LCO President
Rosemary Warren-Green
Education and Outreach Artistic Director
Trustees
Mark Redman (Chairman)
Pamela Conger
Mary Deissler
Professor Keith Mander
Tom Mercer
Richard Oblath
Rev John Wates OBE Hon FRAM
Development Committee
Saul Haydon Rowe
Professor Keith Mander (chair)
Maria Orti
Nina Plowman
Luciana Soriano
Michael Timinis
Ambassadors
Richard Brooks
Richard Gubbins
Jane Jamieson
Peter Jamieson
Peter Johnson
Philip Ogden
Sam Palmer
Richard Price MBE
Philip Stephens
Staff
LCO Staff
General Manager Step Parikian
Music Junction Consultant Ian Pressland
Marketing and Development Manager Charles Lewis
Music Junction Administrator Emi Husband
Development Manager Francesca McGeorge
Hire LCO
Private and Public Engagements
The London Chamber Orchestra gives both public and private performances in the UK and internationally. Private engagements can include intimate concerts for individuals and large-scale corporate events.
LCO offers clients the opportunity to:
- Work with LCO management to tailor all aspects of the event including: repertoire, soloists, venues, receptions, filming, recordings, dress, dates and timings.
- Enjoy the company of LCO conductor, soloists and musicians at post-concert receptions.
- Offer guests branded recordings of performances.
Please get in touch with LCO Concerts and Orchestra Manager Step Parikian if you would like to discuss engaging the orchestra for your private or public event.
step@lco.co.uk
020 3397 1298