Boston Symphony ends relationship with Andris Nelsons

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced it will end its contract with Andris Nelsons, who has been music director since 2014. The board and chief executive said "The BSO and Andris Nelsons were not aligned on future vision," and Nelsons will leave after the summer 2027 Tanglewood season.

The decision startled both players and the conductor and feels abrupt in a world where handovers are usually planned years ahead. Nelsons and the orchestra recently won two Grammys for Messiaen and Shostakovich, yet the players posted that they "strongly oppose the decision …to end the appointment of Maestro Nelsons".

There has been no suggestion of misconduct or contract breach; the public explanation points to artistic differences over the orchestra’s direction.

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