Boston Symphony Concedes Mistakes in Andris Nelsons Exit, Keeping Him Through 2027 Tanglewood
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 11
Boston Symphony Concedes Mistakes in Andris Nelsons Exit, Keeping Him Through 2027 Tanglewood
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 11
Summary
Chad Smith, the Boston Symphony’s president and CEO, said the orchestra mishandled the March decision not to renew music director Andris Nelsons, a move that triggered one of the institution’s worst crises in its 145-year history.
Smith said he “kept my head down too long” by trying to manage the fallout internally and acknowledged the board had not been forthcoming enough after the news became public.
Nelsons will remain music director through the 2026-2027 Tanglewood season, but Smith said the board will not meet musicians’ demands to reappoint him.
The dispute has drawn visible support for Nelsons from patrons and players—ovations at concerts and red roses from musicians—as the orchestra heads into its summer Tanglewood season.