Württemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn

Driven by the inspiration and passion of its musicians, the name Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn (WCO) stands for a musical style that is both energetic and subtle, a special homogeneity, great flexibility of sound and outstanding expertise in orchestral accompaniment.

In October 2025 the WCO celebrates its 65th anniversary with an unrivalled success story.

Since 2024/25, Estonian Risto Joost has been Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn focussing on contemporary Baltic repertoire, modernism and romanticism in his first season.

With a roster of first-class guest musicians, the WCO increasingly performs symphonic repertoire in extended formations. Openness and interest in new formats as well as cultural synergies characterise the orchestra's unique profile.

Around 80 concerts per season take the WCO to renowned concert venues such as the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Queen Elisabeth Hall Antwerp, Konzerthaus Berlin, Philharmonie Köln, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Kurhaus Wiesbaden, Frauenkirche Dresden and to festivals such as Rheingau Music Festival. In 2022, the WCO undertook a highly successful tour of South Korea under Case Scaglione.

Collaboration with international soloists has always been a defining feature. The list of soloists with whom the WCO has performed on stage reads like a Who's Who of music history. Recently, the WCO has performed with artists such as Ray Chen, Julia Fischer, Gautier Capuçon, Sabine Meyer, Frank Peter Zimmermann, Herbert Schuch, Johannes Moser, Sharon Kam, Daniel Müller-Schott, Asya Fateyeva, Alisa Weilerstein, Isabelle van Keulen, Lena Neudauer, Arabella Steinbacher, Emmanuel Tjeknavorian, Bomsori Kim, Michael Barenboim and Daniel Ottensamer.

Risto Joost conductor

Estonian conductor Risto Joost excels by his specialized versatility and has gained widespread recognition for his work both in the opera pit and on concert stage. He has already held major artistic positions such as Chief Conductor of the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Artistic Director of the MDR Leipzig Radio Choir and longstanding conductor of the Estonian National Opera.

Since 2024/25 Risto Joost is Chief Conductor of Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn, as well as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Estonian National Theatre Tartu since 2020/21.

Risto Joost is in demand as a guest conductor with orchestras such as Helsinki Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic, Norwegian Opera Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Lahti Sinfonia,

Trondheim Symphony, Kristiansand Symphony, Vaasa City Orchestra, Latvian Symphony, Estonian National Symphony. He was also at the rostrum of Bavarian State Orchestra, Dortmund Philharmonic, Netherlands Philharmonic, Noord Nederlands Orkest, Philharmonie Zuidnederland, Antwerp Symphony, Flanders Symphony, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Gulbenkian Orchestra,

Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, Orchester des Teatro la Fenice, Slovenian Philharmonic, Prague Radio Symphony, Brno Philharmonic, Janacek Philharmonic among others.

In addition he collaborated with the RIAS Kammerchor, SWR Vokalensemble, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Swedish Radio Choir, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir to name a few.