The Mahler Chamber Orchestra (MCO), founded in 1997, has established a distinct sound and independent artistic identity. The Orchestra’s philosophy, inspired by founding mentor Claudio Abbado, emphasises the power of listening and communication both structurally and musically; they call it »The Sound of Listening«. Characteristic of their sound is the chamber-musical interplay of the approximately 45 musicians and the passion to deepen their relationship with audiences. This has led to a series of diverse musical encounters, including »Welcome Home: a concert about finding the place where you belong«, in which school groups are invited on a multicultural journey, fostering introspection and contemplation on the theme of Belonging.  In search of new musical horizons, the Orchestra has devoted itself in recent years to exploring digital technologies in and beyond the concert hall, resulting in a series of virtual reality experiences.