Blab Music
Matthias Pintscher Named Music Director of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
On August 10, 2026 the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) announced that conductor‑composer Matthias Pintscher will assume the role of music director. The 55‑year‑old will begin a four‑year contract in the 2027‑28 season, after serving as music director designate during 2026‑27.
Pintscher is already the music director of the Kansas City Symphony, a post he will retain through the 2033‑34 season after a five‑year contract extension announced in June 2026. He previously held the artistic directorship of Paris’s Ensemble Intercontemporain for ten years and led the Ojai Festival as music director in 2020, when the event went online.
LACO’s decision follows a 2016 review by Los Angeles Times critic Mark Swed, who lauded Pintscher’s debut with the orchestra and suggested he might one day lead the ensemble. Although Jaime Martin was appointed in 2016, LACO officials view Pintscher’s selection as a “defining moment” for the organization.
Executive Director Ben Cadwallader said the appointment “marks a defining moment for LACO” and that he and Pintscher share a commitment to expanding the orchestra’s reach and making music personal for audiences in Los Angeles and beyond. Concertmaster Margaret Batjer echoed that enthusiasm, calling Pintscher “one of the most visionary and extraordinary musicians of our time.”
Pintscher, a native of Germany, said he was “deeply honored” to take on the role. He noted that his experience with LACO, beginning as artist‑in‑residence in 2018, had highlighted the ensemble’s openness and dedication.
During the 2026‑27 season, Pintscher will conduct two concerts as music director designate on April 23 and April 25, 2027. LACO’s season opens on September 26‑27, 2026, with performances at the Alex Theatre in Glendale and UCLA’s Royce Hall. The orchestra’s August 11 concert will feature an all‑Mozart program at the Hollywood Bowl, with pianist Angela Hewitt.
Pintscher first appeared on the West Coast in 2013 at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, conducting his own works and a Stravinsky program. His compositions have been performed by major orchestras worldwide, including the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
The announcement comes as LACO prepares for a robust 2026‑27 schedule that will showcase both classic repertoire and contemporary works. Pintscher’s background in contemporary music and his experience with large‑scale orchestras position him to broaden LACO’s programming and outreach.
At present, Pintscher will continue his duties with the Kansas City Symphony through 2033‑34 while beginning his LACO tenure in 2027. No further touring or festival commitments have been disclosed. The orchestra’s official website lists the upcoming season’s dates and program details.
In summary, Matthias Pintscher’s appointment marks a new chapter for LACO, aligning the ensemble’s future with a conductor who has proven leadership in both traditional and contemporary orchestral settings. The 2027‑28 season will be the first in which he serves as music director, with the 2026‑27 season providing a preview of his artistic direction.
Pintscher is already the music director of the Kansas City Symphony, a post he will retain through the 2033‑34 season after a five‑year contract extension announced in June 2026. He previously held the artistic directorship of Paris’s Ensemble Intercontemporain for ten years and led the Ojai Festival as music director in 2020, when the event went online.
LACO’s decision follows a 2016 review by Los Angeles Times critic Mark Swed, who lauded Pintscher’s debut with the orchestra and suggested he might one day lead the ensemble. Although Jaime Martin was appointed in 2016, LACO officials view Pintscher’s selection as a “defining moment” for the organization.
Executive Director Ben Cadwallader said the appointment “marks a defining moment for LACO” and that he and Pintscher share a commitment to expanding the orchestra’s reach and making music personal for audiences in Los Angeles and beyond. Concertmaster Margaret Batjer echoed that enthusiasm, calling Pintscher “one of the most visionary and extraordinary musicians of our time.”
Pintscher, a native of Germany, said he was “deeply honored” to take on the role. He noted that his experience with LACO, beginning as artist‑in‑residence in 2018, had highlighted the ensemble’s openness and dedication.
During the 2026‑27 season, Pintscher will conduct two concerts as music director designate on April 23 and April 25, 2027. LACO’s season opens on September 26‑27, 2026, with performances at the Alex Theatre in Glendale and UCLA’s Royce Hall. The orchestra’s August 11 concert will feature an all‑Mozart program at the Hollywood Bowl, with pianist Angela Hewitt.
Pintscher first appeared on the West Coast in 2013 at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, conducting his own works and a Stravinsky program. His compositions have been performed by major orchestras worldwide, including the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
The announcement comes as LACO prepares for a robust 2026‑27 schedule that will showcase both classic repertoire and contemporary works. Pintscher’s background in contemporary music and his experience with large‑scale orchestras position him to broaden LACO’s programming and outreach.
At present, Pintscher will continue his duties with the Kansas City Symphony through 2033‑34 while beginning his LACO tenure in 2027. No further touring or festival commitments have been disclosed. The orchestra’s official website lists the upcoming season’s dates and program details.
In summary, Matthias Pintscher’s appointment marks a new chapter for LACO, aligning the ensemble’s future with a conductor who has proven leadership in both traditional and contemporary orchestral settings. The 2027‑28 season will be the first in which he serves as music director, with the 2026‑27 season providing a preview of his artistic direction.
