The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1968 as an artistic outlet for the film and record studios most gifted musicians. Since then, the 40-member orchestra has acquired a reputation as one of the top ten ensembles of its kind in the world. The respected music critic Jim Svejda recently praised LACO as "Americas finest chamber orchestra." Renowned pianist and conductor Jeffrey Kahane has led the group since 1997, continuing the standard of excellence set by the orchestras first four music directors, Sir Neville Marriner, Gerard Schwarz, Iona Brown and Christof Perick.