St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra of Vilnius (Chamber Orchestra)

Founded: 1994 - Vilnius, Lithuania

The debut of St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra (= SCCOV) has created a sensation in Lithuania's musical life. The American director, Dennis Russell Davies, after a half-year, confirmed that it was a wonderful orchestra. "The orchestra has found its place in the sun," the Lithuanian press affirmed after a year. And today, having become a bright star in Lithuanian musical life, the orchestra is ever more frequently trusting its achievements for international audiences to appreciate.

The orchestra belongs to the Vilnius City government and is named for the guardian of Vilnius, St. Christopher, who is emblazoned on Vilnius's coat of arms. Professor Donatas Katkus founded the orchestra in 1994. Talented young musicians, most of whom have won prizes in various competitions, play in it.

Since 1997, the orchestra has annually organized a concert season in the Vilnius's City Hall, preparing two new concert programs a month. It always repeats some of these in other Lithuanian cities. Since 1996, the orchestra has begun constantly giving concerts abroad, in Estonia, Finland, Poland, Germany, and France. Since the day of its creation, the St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra was always the biggest and most important participant in Lithuanian music festivals in addition to being one of the organizers of the St. Christopher Summer Music Festival in Vilnius.

The President of the Republic of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture, and the mayor of the City of Vilnius have presented it with letters of appreciation, acknowledging its artistic level.

Source: St.Christopher Chamber Orchestra of Vilnius Website (May 1999)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2005)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Elke Mascha Blankenburg

Orchestra

BWV 232

Links to other Sites

St.Christopher Chamber Orchestra of Vilnius (Official Website) [English/ Lithuanian]