Arensky Chamber Orchestra Information

The Arensky Chamber Orchestra was formed in 2009 from the top young professional musicians in London. Led by conductor William Kunhardt, they have rapidly gained a name for combining a dare-devil attitude to music-making with a passion for reimagining the way classical music concerts are presented. Besides countless concerts and festival appearances in the UK, they have given two highly acclaimed seasons at London's Cadogan Hall. The ACO is currently collaborating with artist-in-residence Matthew Sharp - 'virtuoso of the arts' (The Times) and international cellist, singer and actor - whilst previous partnerships include collaborations with the Royal College of Art, and international artists such as Benjamin Grovsenor, Clio Gould, Andrew Haveron, Jennifer Pike and Philip Higham, as well as concert broadcasts on Classic FM. The ACO is classical music for the 21st century. The main artistic drive behind the Arensky Chamber Orchestra is the desire to revitalise the classical music scene from within, by reimagining the content and delivery of classical concerts. This means approaching each programme or individual work with a fresh mind, searching for ways to make the music more immediate, more inspiring, more profound, but being ever mindful of shallow gimmickry. Our biggest aim is to fill our audience with the passion we feel about our music, and create truly memorable performances. The ACO boasts the finest young chamber musicians in the UK. The musicians of the Arensky Chamber Orchestra also come together to perform in smaller ensembles as the Arensky Chamber Orchestra Soloists giving some of the leading chamber musicians in Britain a chance to work in new combinations and with unfamiliar repertory. Regular players come from prize-winning groups such as the Fournier Trio, the Barbican Trio, the Rose Trio, and the Fitzwilliam, Benyounes, Brodowsky, Cavalieri, Finzi, and Vardanyan String Quartets. Together they bring the energy and verve the ACO is famous for to the intimate chamber music stage.