The London Sinfonietta is a British chamber orchestra based in London that specializes in the performance of contemporary classical music. Nicholas Snowman and David Atherton co-founded the orchestra in 1968. Atherton was its first Music Director, from 1968-1973. Michael Vyner served as the Artistic Director from 1972-1989. Paul Crossley took over and served from 1988-1994. Markus Stenz served as Music Director from 1994-1998. The London Sinfonietta has commissioned numerous composers including Magnus Lindberg, Thomas Adès, Steve Reich and Sir Harrison Birtwistle among others. The composer Oliver Knussen was Music Director from 1998-2002 and is now the Sinfonietta's Conductor Laureate. The current Artistic Director of the ensemble is Gillian Moore. She joined the Sinfonietta in 1983 as their Education Officer, and left in 1993 for the position of Head of Education at the South Bank Centre. Moore returned to the Sinfonietta as Artistic Director in 1998. See also: http://www.last.fm/music/The+London+Sinfonietta
