Conductor-composer Matthias Pintscher is stepping up as the next music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. It is a massive shift for Southern California's classical music scene.
Announced by the organization, the 55-year-old maestro will officially take the reins at the start of the 2027-28 season. He is not walking into this blind, either. Pintscher previously worked with LACO back in 2018 as an artist-in-residence, meaning he already knows the unique chemistry of the musicians sitting on that stage. Learn more on a related issue: this related article.
The Transition from Jaime Martín
Change in classical music can be messy, but LACO is handling this handover cleanly. Current music director Jaime Martín is wrapping up an acclaimed eight-season run. Instead of an abrupt goodbye, Martín will transition into the role of music director laureate starting in the 2027-28 season.
Before Pintscher officially assumes full title responsibilities, he will spend the 2026-27 season serving as music director designate. This runway gives audiences a clear preview of where the orchestra is heading. Pintscher is currently running the Kansas City Symphony as its music director, a post he will keep through the 2033-34 season alongside his new Los Angeles commitments. Further journalism by Rolling Stone delves into comparable views on the subject.
Why Pintscher Fits the Los Angeles Vibe
You might wonder why a composer deeply rooted in European contemporary music fits a chamber orchestra in Southern California. Pintscher just wrapped up a decade-long stint leading the Ensemble Intercontemporain in Paris, the legendary contemporary group founded by Pierre Boulez. He also spent nine seasons as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's artist-in-association and served as creative chair for the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich.
He brings institutional weight, but he also brings a composer's ear. When you have a conductor who actually writes the music, rehearsals change. They stop talking about abstract phrasing and start talking about structural architecture. LACO executive director Ben Cadwallader noted that Pintscher brings a fearless, expansive commitment to artistry that matches the cultural energy of Los Angeles.
What to Expect Next Season
If you want a taste of what Pintscher's era will sound like, look at his upcoming programs. He is slated to lead LACO in performances featuring Haydn's "Trauer Symphony," Mozart's "Linz Symphony," and Kayhan Kalhor's "Blue as the Turquoise Night of Neyshabur". That mix of standard classical pillars and global contemporary works signals that the orchestra will keep stretching its boundaries.
Check out LACO's upcoming concert calendar, grab tickets for the transitional season, and watch how a world-class chamber ensemble reinvents its sound under a bold new leader.
