Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra (KCO) is one of the youngest and most dynamic among Lithuania’s professional chamber orchestras. The KCO actively endeavours to stimulate and enlighten its audiences by presenting well thought out programmes and exhilarating interpretations of stylistically varied repertoire and by introducing new traditions of orchestral concerts in Lithuania’s only harbour city. 

The KCO’s professional development and the quality of sound have always been in the hands of talented string players. It was formed in 1992 at the initiative of violist Liuda Kuraitienė. And yet a stronger stimulus towards the improvement of orchestral playing came in 2009 when the well-known Lithuanian cellist, Mindaugas Bačkus, was appointed the KCO’s Artistic Director. Internationally acclaimed as one of the most distinguished and versatile Lithuanian cellists of his generation, Bačkus considers his work with the KCO to be the “way of life, a philosophy of one’s relationship with music, a creative community.” His vision and innovative ideas inspired some conspicuous changes in the way the KCO now builds its repertoire, initiates new creative collaborations and contributes to the cultural life of the city. Another important area of the Orchestra’s activity is concerned with educational programmes, since they offer a fertile ground for engagement of young musicians and audiences into the Orchestra’s performances and a very effective way to foster an appreciation of classical music. 

In the recent years, the KCO’s tour itineraries have expanded along with the new additions to the repertoire. It has repeatedly appeared at many Lithuanian music festivals and went on tour to Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Russia and elsewhere in Europe. The Orchestra has drawn accolades for its appearances at a number of international festivals, including Gaida in Lithuania, Murten Classics, Montreux and Klangantrisch in Switzerland, Klaviertage Bad Wildungen in Germany, Türi Spring Festival and Glasperlenspiel in Estonia, as well as at major venues, such as Tonhalle in Zürich, Temppeliaukio Church in Helsinki, Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Teatro Sociale in Bergamo, Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, Palma Auditorium in Mallorca, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, Kaunas State Philharmonic, and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.