Israel Chamber Orchestra
Israel Chamber Orchestra
The Israel Chamber Orchestra (ICO) is to date one of the most significant and renowned orchestras of the State of Israel. It strives for recreating the classical music experience, with fresh, unique programs, it constantly supports Israeli composers and gives stage to both the classics and modern, current compositions. Its repertoire ranges from early baroque to contemporary, jazz and popular music. The orchestra pays utmost importance to attracting the young generation. Its Family Series has been enthusiastically acclaimed by young audiences and professional music critics alike, it continues to collaborate with young music groups and perform outside the normal concert venues.
The ICO was founded in 1965 by Gary Bertini who served as its Artistic Director and conductor for 10 years. Subsequent Artistic Directors were: Luciano Berio, Rudolph Barshai, Uri Segal, Yoav Talmi, Shlomo Mintz, Philippe Entremont, Salvador Mas Conde, Noam Sheriff, Gil Shohat and Roberto Paternostro. Since 2015/2016 Concert Season, Ariel Zuckermann serves as Music Director of the ICO. Many well-known artists have performed with the Israel Chamber Orchestra: Mstislav Rostropovich, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Yefim Bronfman, Miriam Fried, Joseph Kalichstein, Kryzstof Penderecki, Christoph Eschenbach, Yoel Levi, Jean Pierre Rampal, Paul Tortelier, Heinrich Schiff, Heinz Holliger, Sergiu Commissiona, Claude Frank, David Shallon, Tabea Zimmerman, and others. Several internationally acclaimed choirs participated in the Orchestra’s concerts throughout the years, among them: The Rinat Choir and the Cameran Singers from Israel, The Netherlands Chamber Choir, Stuttgart Chamber Choir, Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne, Gulbenkian Choir, The Brigham Young University Choir, Toelz Boys Choir, Prague Chamber Choir and the Vienna Sangerknaben.
The ICO tours extensively in Europe, USA, Canada, South America and the Far East and takes part in prestigious international music festivals such as the Salzburg Festival, festivals in Istanbul, Helsinki, Athens, Pompeii, Sofia and Mitte Europa, Hong Kong and many more. The Orchestra recorded for Chandos, Naxos, Music Masters, The Israel Music Institute (IMI), Koch and Teldec. The Israel Chamber Orchestra is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Tel Aviv Jaffa Municipality.