Jeffrey Kahane to step down as director of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Following a 20-year run, conductor Jeffrey Kahane will step down from his position as music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, the group announced on Wednesday.

Kahane will be named music director laureate at the end of his tenure, which will be the longest of any music director in the ensemble's history. No successor has been announced. Leaders said that the board of directors will be launching a search to find a new music director.

Kahane, 57, is the ensemble's fifth music director since the group was founded in 1968. He assumed his post in 1997. The conductor, who is an L.A. native and currently lives in Santa Rosa, is also an accomplished pianist and continues to perform and conduct with ensembles around the world.

In a statement sent via e-mail, Kahane said that he felt it was "time to pass the torch, as difficult as it is to move on, and 20 years seemed like a good round number."

He added that he will continue his career as a soloist and chamber musician, and that he no plans to take on another music director position.

The L.A. Chamber Orchestra board president Eugene Shutler said in a release that a search committee will be formed to find the group's next music director.