Mahler Chamber Orchestra Appoints New Co-concertmaster

German-Brazilian violinist José Maria Blumenschein will assume the role as of this year, alongside violinist Matthew Truscott 

For the first time in its 25-year history, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra (MCO) has appointed co-concertmasters. José Maria Blumenschein will share the ensemble’s concertmaster position with UK violinist Matthew Truscott.

Currently serving as concertmaster of Cologne’s WDR Radio Symphony Orchestra, Blumenschein first played with the MCO in 2021, and led critically acclaimed performances of Arnold Schönberg’s First Chamber Symphony across Europe and the U.S.

He has previously held the position of associate concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra for three seasons, and performed as first concertmaster of the Vienna State Opera and Philharmonic.

“We look forward to experiencing how José Maria Blumenschein will contribute to the Mahler Chamber Orchestra's mission of bringing extraordinary musical moments to a global audience,” wrote the MCO.

Born in 1985, Blumenschein began violin lessons at the age of four in Freiburg, Germany, at the Pflüger Institute for Highly Gifted Children, and five years later, studied with Vera Kramarowa in Mannheim. In 2001, he entered the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Joseph Silverstein and was concertmaster of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra.

He often performs with ensembles including the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, London Symphony Orchestra, Bayerische Staatsoper, Dresden Staatskapelle, and NDR Radio Orchestra.

Additionally, Blumenschein is a founding member of Cologne’s Kammermusik Köln, which was formed as the first year-round chamber music series by members of WDR Radio, Gürzenich Orchestra, and Cologne Conservatory.

Founded by conductor Claudio Abbado in 1997, the MCO comprises 45 core musicians from 20 different countries and celebrated its 25th anniversary in the 2022/23 season. To date, the MCO has performed in over 40 countries across five continents.