Amsterdam Sinfonietta is a Dutch string orchestra with Amsterdam as its home base . The ensemble was founded in 1988 under the name Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam by a group of young musicians who wanted to achieve the highest possible level in ensemble playing, as is customary in chamber music . The ensemble currently consists of 22 strings : 6 first violins , 6 second violins, four violas , four cellos and two double basses . Since 2003, the orchestra is led by concertmaster and also artistic director Candida Thompson .