Richard Tognetti

Richard Tognetti is an Australian violinist, conductor, and artistic dynamo best known as the long-standing Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO), a role he’s held since 1989. Renowned for his fiery passion and boundary-pushing approach, Tognetti has transformed the ACO into a globally celebrated ensemble, blending classical masterpieces with contemporary works and adventurous collaborations. His recent releases, like *Kilar: Orawa – Rautavaara: The Fiddlers*, showcase his knack for spotlighting modern composers while honoring tradition. Whether leading Tchaikovsky’s lush *Serenade for String Orchestra* or digging into Rautavaara’s folk-inspired *The Fiddlers*, Tognetti’s performances crackle with energy and precision.

Beyond the podium, he’s a soloist, composer, and advocate for music education, often wielding his prized 1743 “Carrodus” Guarneri del Gesù violin. A surfer and cross-genre collaborator (he’s worked with everyone from Indigenous artists to electronic producers), Tognetti embodies a fiercely Australian brand of artistry—unpretentious, adventurous, and always electrifying.

Genres

Experimental

Folk

Classical

Contemporary Classical

Baroque

Chamber Music

Latest Release

Serenade for String Orchestra in C Major, Op. 48: I. Pezzo in forma di sonatina. Andante non troppo – Allegro moderato

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky•

Australian Chamber Orchestra•

Richard Tognetti

Single - Released February 14, 2025