The Orchestre de Chambre National de Toulouse celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2003. Their relationship with José Serebrier started in November 2001, when they programmed the Elegy for Strings, and invited the composer to be present at the conductorless concert in Toulouse. It proved to be a fateful meeting, because such a warm working relationship was established that since then they have worked together constantly in concerts, international tours and recordings. Founded by Louis Auriacombe, the Toulouse National Chamber Orchestra consists of twelve full-time musicians. The orchestra has a vast repertoire, ranging from baroque to contemporary, and it gives more than eighty concerts each year. With its many international tours, and over forty records, it is one of the most highly regarded French orchestras. They have regularly performed with guest artists, including Samson François, Alexis Weissenberg, Arthur Grumiaux, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Janos Starker, Maurice André, Barbara Hendricks, Teresa Berganza, Dame Janet Baker, and many others. The Toulouse National Chamber Orchestra is subsidised by the French Ministry of Culture, the City of Toulouse, Midi-Pyrenées Regional Council and Haute-Garonne General Council, and it is sponsored by Le Crédit Agricole of Toulouse and Midi - Toulousain.