LA Phil's New Concertmaster

Vineta Sareika, who made history as the first female concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic from 2023-25, is to take the same position with the Los Angeles Philharmonic as of next season. She succeeds Martin Chalifour, who retired at the end of 2024-25 after three decades in the job.

Her appointment was made by a search committee comprised of orchestra members and outgoing Music Director Gustavo Dudamel and approved by his successor, Daniel Harding.

“I’ve admired Vineta’s playing for years: the intelligence behind every phrase, the integrity, the sense that nothing is ever done for effect,” said Harding. “There’s an infectious joy and warmth to the way she plays, that everyone in the room feels. I’m delighted she’s coming to Los Angeles.”

Certainly no stranger to the international limelight, Sareika is a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher; she’s been guest concertmaster with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Dresden Philharmonic, and others. Winner of the Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition in 2009 she was primaria of the Artemis Quartet and principal concertmaster of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. A native of Latvia, she studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris with Gérard Poulet. She currently teaches chamber music at the Universität der Künste Berlin.

In comments, Sareika said she was “honored” to take the job and spoke of the LA Phil’s artistic excellence. “But what impressed me most during my time with the musicians was the sense of trust, warmth, and shared commitment….I felt genuinely welcomed and inspired by their collective desire to create something meaningful together. For me, that spirit of trust and collaboration is an essential foundation for making great music.”