30 Years of the Georgian Chamber Orchestra (GKO) in Ingolstadt: In 2020, we celebrated a remarkable milestone – a success story that stands out in German orchestral life. The GKO has firmly established itself in Ingolstadt and the surrounding region, becoming a vibrant and dynamic part of the community while making a lasting impact on the music world with its unique identity. The orchestra has transformed from an exile ensemble into one of integration, proudly honouring its heritage without compromising its roots.

A Retrospective: The GKO was founded in 1961 by Alexander Begelfor and Givi Azmaiparashvili, who served as its chief conductor. In 1964, it was officially recognized in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, as the Georgian State Chamber Orchestra. During the political upheaval of 1990, the orchestra made the pivotal decision to stay in the West while on tour and relocated to Germany. Since then, the GKO has called Ingolstadt home. With the support of the city, AUDI AG and Sparkasse Ingolstadt, it has quickly become a vital part of both the regional and national cultural landscape.

Through its concert series in the region, international guest performances, children’s and youth projects, and critically acclaimed CD productions, the GKO consistently attracts attention. It not only enjoys a prestigious reputation in the music world but also steadily reaches out to new and younger audiences. Numerous renowned conductors have played a pivotal role in shaping the orchestra. Notably, Liana Issakadze, who served as the long-term leader and violinist from 1981 to 1999, brought the GKO international acclaim.

Markus Poschner made significant contributions from 2000 to 2006, notably introducing subscription concerts that remain popular today. Since 2021, Ariel Zuckermann has taken on the role of artistic director. He is well-known in Ingolstadt, having previously held the position of chief conductor from 2007 to 2012. Ruben Gazarian achieved considerable success in this role from 2015 to 2020. The year 2014 was especially significant as it marked the GKO’s 50th anniversary.

Over its long history, the orchestra has shared the stage with many outstanding international soloists. Renowned figures such as David Oistrach, Barbara Hendricks, Svjatoslav Richter, and Daniil Shafran have performed alongside the ensemble, along with other illustrious artists like Heinrich Schiff, Tabea Zimmermann, Juan Diego Florez, Gidon Kremer, Edita Gruberova, Giora Feidman, Elisso Virsaladze, Lynn Harrell, Rudolf Buchbinder, Christian Zacharias, Lisa Batiashvili, Natalia Gutman, Diana Damrau, Gilles Apap, Maxim Vengerov, Khatia Buniatishvili, Julian Rachlin, and Daniel Müller-Schott.

The GKO Ingolstadt is dedicated to a wide-ranging repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary music, and proudly serves as a cultural ambassador for Ingolstadt. The orchestra performs around 90 concerts annually and regularly participates in prestigious music festivals, such as the International Music Festival in Kreuth, the Oettinger Residence Concerts, and the Festive Summer in the Wies. It also has guest performances abroad in countries including Spain, France, Georgia, Austria, and Switzerland. For many years, the ensemble has been a mainstay of the summer concerts organized by AUDI AG.

The GKO’s enduring commitment, rich tradition, and remarkable history of integration have recieved significant recognition. Since 2010, the ensemble has received support as a non-governmental cultural orchestra from the Free State of Bavaria. As of 2021, the GKO is also officially classified and contractually recognized as a top-level cultural orchestra (TV-K A), highlighting its indispensable and exceptional contribution to the region’s musical life.