Irish Chamber Orchestra
Professional services
UnclaimedThe Irish Chamber Orchestra is an Irish classical music ensemble administratively based at the University of Limerick.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) is an Irish classical music ensemble with an administrative base at the University of Limerick in Limerick. Founded in 1963 by conductor János Fürst, the orchestra has developed through several institutional and artistic phases while retaining a central identity as a flexible chamber ensemble. Its work encompasses concert performance, international touring, collaborations with composers and guest artists, and commercial recordings. For much of its early history, the orchestra operated primarily as a string ensemble. Wind, brass and percussion players were engaged on a freelance basis when individual repertoire required forces beyond the regular string complement. This model allowed the ICO to move between intimate chamber-orchestra programming and larger works without maintaining a permanently expanded roster. The ensemble was reorganized in 1970 as the New Irish Chamber Orchestra, with André Prieur serving as principal conductor. The reformed orchestra subsequently expanded its profile beyond Ireland. Its first North American tour took place in 1978, marking an important stage in its international activity. In 1995, the organization was reconstituted once again and returned to the name Irish Chamber Orchestra. The ICO's artistic history has included conductors and artistic partners associated with historically informed performance, modern classical repertoire, chamber music and composer-led projects. Nicholas Kraemer served as artistic director from 1986 to 1992, followed by Fionnuala Hunt as music director from 1995 to 2002, Nicholas McGegan from 2002 to 2005, and Anthony Marwood as artistic director from 2006 to 2011. Jörg Widmann held roles as Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Partner from 2011 to 2017 and as Principal Conductor and Artistic Partner from 2017 to 2022. Gábor Takács-Nagy was Principal Artistic Partner from 2013 to 2018. Thomas Zehetmair became Principal Conductor and Artistic Partner in May 2022, with his term listed through 2025; Henning Kraggerud is identified as Principal Conductor and Artistic Partner from 2025. Irish music has remained an important part of the orchestra's collaborative activity. Composers associated with the ensemble include Frank Corcoran, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Bill Whelan. The ICO has also participated in international commissioning and recording projects. Its recording Plectrum & Bow was created with American composer and guitarist Steve Mackey and includes his Concerto for Violin and Strings and Four Iconoclastic Episodes. The concerto was jointly commissioned by the Irish Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center at the University of Notre Dame in the United States. Other cited recordings include Night Moves, conducted by Gérard Korsten, and Hommage, devoted to works by Irish composer John Kinsella. The orchestra owns a purpose-built recording studio on the University of Limerick campus. The studio was acoustically modelled for its use by the ensemble and supports the ICO's recording and production activities. Through its base in Limerick, its Irish concert work, touring history and cross-border collaborations, the Irish Chamber Orchestra functions as both a national cultural institution and an internationally oriented chamber-music organization.
History
The Irish Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1963 by János Fürst. Its early identity was centered on a string-based chamber ensemble, with wind, brass and percussion musicians brought in on a freelance basis when particular works required a broader instrumental palette. This arrangement gave the orchestra flexibility while preserving the clarity and scale associated with chamber performance. In 1970, the organization was reformed as the New Irish Chamber Orchestra under the principal conductorship of André Prieur. The new name and structure represented a significant phase in the ensemble's development. During the following years, the orchestra built an international profile in addition to its Irish activities. Its first North American tour took place in 1978, providing an early example of the ensemble's overseas reach. The orchestra's artistic direction subsequently passed through a number of conductors and artistic leaders. Nicholas Kraemer was artistic director from 1986 to 1992. After a further organizational reconstitution in 1995, the ensemble reverted to its original name, the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and Fionnuala Hunt served as music director from 1995 to 2002. Nicholas McGegan held the music-director position from 2002 to 2005, followed by violinist and artistic director Anthony Marwood from 2006 to 2011. The ICO's later artistic structure placed greater emphasis on principal conductors and artistic partnerships. Jörg Widmann was Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Partner from 2011 to 2017, then became Principal Conductor and Artistic Partner from 2017 to 2022. Gábor Takács-Nagy served as Principal Artistic Partner between 2013 and 2018. Thomas Zehetmair assumed the role of Principal Conductor and Artistic Partner in May 2022. The listed succession identifies Henning Kraggerud in the same leadership role from 2025. Alongside standard chamber-orchestra repertoire, the Irish Chamber Orchestra has worked with Irish composers including Frank Corcoran, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Bill Whelan. Its commissioning and recording work has also connected the orchestra with international contemporary music. Plectrum & Bow was produced in collaboration with American composer and guitarist Steve Mackey and includes his Concerto for Violin and Strings and Four Iconoclastic Episodes. The concerto was jointly commissioned by the ICO, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center at the University of Notre Dame in the United States. The orchestra's recording catalogue also includes Night Moves, conducted by Gérard Korsten, and Hommage, which presents music by Irish composer John Kinsella. Its base at the University of Limerick includes a custom-built studio acoustically modelled for the orchestra. This facility supports the ensemble's recorded output and provides an institutional home for its production activities. The ICO therefore combines concert presentation, touring, commissioning, collaboration and recording within an Irish university-based cultural organization.
- 2025
Henning Kraggerud listed as principal conductor
[1]Henning Kraggerud is identified as Principal Conductor and Artistic Partner from 2025.
- 2022
Thomas Zehetmair began principal-conductor tenure
[1]Thomas Zehetmair became Principal Conductor and Artistic Partner in May 2022.
- 1995
Return to the Irish Chamber Orchestra name
[1]Following another reconstitution, the ensemble reverted to its original name, Irish Chamber Orchestra.
- 1978
First North American tour
[1]The orchestra undertook its first tour of North America.
- 1970
Reformed as the New Irish Chamber Orchestra
[1]The ensemble was reorganized under the name New Irish Chamber Orchestra, with André Prieur as principal conductor.
- 1963
Orchestra founded
[1]János Fürst founded the Irish Chamber Orchestra.
Products and positioning
An Irish chamber orchestra combining flexible small-ensemble performance with international touring, contemporary commissioning, collaborations with composers and guest artists, and recorded classical repertoire.
Classical music recording
Plectrum & Bow
A recording created in collaboration with American composer and guitarist Steve Mackey. It includes Mackey's Concerto for Violin and Strings and Four Iconoclastic Episodes. The concerto was jointly commissioned by the Irish Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center at the University of Notre Dame.
Classical music recording
Night Moves
A cited Irish Chamber Orchestra recording conducted by Gérard Korsten. The available reference material identifies the title and conductor but does not provide a complete repertoire list or release date.
Classical music recording
Hommage
A recording featuring works by Irish composer John Kinsella. It represents the orchestra's engagement with Irish composition and recorded repertoire.
Live performance · 1963
Concert programmes
The Irish Chamber Orchestra's principal public offering is live chamber-orchestra performance in Ireland and on tour. Programmes draw on classical repertoire as well as collaborations with composers and guest artists.
Brand decisions
2025
Appointment of Henning KraggerudOtherBackground
The orchestra's published artistic-leadership chronology identifies a new principal-conductor partnership beginning in 2025.
Action taken
Henning Kraggerud became Principal Conductor and Artistic Partner.
2022
Appointment of Thomas ZehetmairOtherBackground
The orchestra changed its principal artistic leadership after Jörg Widmann's listed tenure ended in 2022.
Action taken
Thomas Zehetmair became Principal Conductor and Artistic Partner in May 2022.
Aftermath
The listed leadership succession moves to Henning Kraggerud from 2025.
1995
Reconstitution and restoration of the original nameStrategyBackground
The organization underwent another reconstitution after its period as the New Irish Chamber Orchestra.
Action taken
It returned to the Irish Chamber Orchestra name.
Aftermath
The orchestra continued under a succession of music directors and artistic partners while retaining the restored identity.
1970
Reorganization under the New Irish Chamber Orchestra nameStrategyBackground
The ensemble entered a new organizational phase seven years after its founding.
Action taken
It adopted the name New Irish Chamber Orchestra and placed André Prieur in the principal-conductor role.
Aftermath
The reformed orchestra later undertook its first North American tour in 1978.
Sources2 sources
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