Artistic Director: Quintin Ballardie Principal Conductor: Ralf Gothóni Principal Guest Conductor: Roy Goodman Associate Conductor: Paul Watkins Orchestra Leader: Stephanie Gonley The English Chamber Orchestra is one of the world's leading chamber orchestras, having performed in more countries than any other orchestra, recorded over 1,200 works and played with the world's greatest musicians. Last year the American radio network CPRN selected ECO as one of the world's greatest 'living' orchestras. The ECO aims to celebrate and build upon its traditions of maintaining the highest international musical standards and nurturing new talent, as well as being the chamber orchestra of choice for many of the world's greatest soloists. The orchestra receives no public funding in support of its activities. ...show more

Artistic Director: Quintin Ballardie Principal Conductor: Ralf Gothóni Principal Guest Conductor: Roy Goodman Associate Conductor: Paul Watkins Orchestra Leader: Stephanie Gonley The English Chamber Orchestra is one of the world's leading chamber orchestras, having performed in more countries than any other orchestra, recorded over 1,200 works and played with the world's greatest musicians. Last year the American radio network CPRN selected ECO as one of the world's greatest 'living' orchestras. The ECO aims to celebrate and build upon its traditions of maintaining the highest international musical standards and nurturing new talent, as well as being the chamber orchestra of choice for many of the world's greatest soloists. The orchestra receives no public funding in support of its activities.

The illustrious history of the orchestra features many major musical figures. Benjamin Britten was the orchestra's first Patron and a significant musical influence. The ECO's long relationship with Daniel Barenboim led to an acclaimed complete cycle of Mozart piano concertos as live performances and recordings, followed later by two further recordings of the complete cycle, with Murray Perahia and Mitsuko Uchida. Jeffrey Tate was appointed as the first Principal Conductor in 1985, and was succeeded by Ralf Gothóni in 2000.

The orchestra continues to attract musicians of the stature few chamber orchestras can match. After a successful first summer in 2007, the ECO is now resident at Grange Park Opera in Hampshire. In the summer of 2007 the ECO gave a tour in Spain, and its smaller incarnation, the ECO Ensemble, was resident at the Blair Atholl festival. The 2007 Mediterranean Music Cruise featured guest artists Maxim Vengerov, Paul Watkins, Alison Balsom, Lisa Batiashvili and François Leleux. ...show less