Matthias Pintscher has been chosen as the next music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the organization announced Monday.
The 55-year-old conductor-composer, who is currently music director of the Kansas City Symphony, will succeed LACO Music Director Jaime MartÃn at the start of the 2027-28 season, after serving as music director designate during the 2026-27 season.
MartÃn will assume the role of music director laureate in 2027-28.
Pintscher worked with LACO in 2018 as artist-in-residence, and has guest conducted for the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, an ensemble I have long admired,” Pintscher said. “Since I first began working with LACO, I was struck by its spirit of openness and dedication, which is evident both on stage and throughout the organization. I am eager to develop a lasting and meaningful partnership with this extraordinary ensemble.
“Los Angeles holds a very special place in my heart, not only for its unmatched cultural energy, but for the vitality and creativity of its artistic community. I look forward to continuing my relationship with LACO and to deepening my connection to this remarkable city.”
Pintscher recently concluded a decade-long tenure as the music director of the Ensemble Intercontemporain, the iconic Parisian contemporary ensemble founded by Pierre Boulez. He also served as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s artist-in-association for nine seasons, and was the season creative chair for the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich in 2018-19.
In addition to his role with LACO, Pintscher will continue as music director of the Kansas City Symphony through the 2033-34 season.
“We are over the moon to be welcoming Matthias to the LACO family,” LACO Board co-chair Ruth Eliel said.
The Orchestra’s executive director, Ben Cadwallader, said Pintscher’s appointment “marks a defining moment for LACO. He has a longstanding relationship with our musicians and this city, and he brings a relentless commitment to artistry that is at once fearless and expansive. That’s exactly why I can think of no one better to build upon Jaime MartÃn’s remarkable eight-season legacy.
“Matthias and I share a deep commitment to widen LACO’s reach and make great music personal, both here in Los Angeles and beyond. With him as a partner, I’ve rarely felt more inspired, or more optimistic about what lies ahead.”
For the upcoming season, Pintscher will lead LACO in a program featuring Haydn’s “Trauer Symphony,” Kayhan Kalhor’s “Blue as the Turquoise Night of Neyshabur” and Mozart’s “Linz Symphony.”