The conductor Thomas Fey founded the Schlierbacher Kammerorchester in 1987. The ensemble's unusual, exhilarating and varied performance style was significantly shaped by thorough training in 'historical performance practice (1989-1991) with Nikolaus Harnoncourt; however, the ensemble eschews the use of period instruments (except for brass instruments), putting its trust in originality and creative spontaneity according to the motto: 'Each performance is a premiere!'