The dismissal of music director Andris Nelsons by BSO chief executive Chad Smith was a death foretold in slippedisc in July 2024 when we reported that the New York Times is ‘once again, doing its part to help Chad Smith get rid of Nelsons.’
Smith changed Nelsons contract from fixed-term to rolling, which made it easier to get rid of him. BSO supporters were informed of the dismissal yesterday in these terms:
We’re writing to share an important update with you that Andris Nelsons will conclude his tenure as Music Director of the BSO at the end of the 2027 Tanglewood season. The decision to not renew his contract was made by the BSO’s Board of Trustees because, beyond our shared desire to ensure our orchestra continues to perform at the highest levels, the BSO and Andris Nelsons were not aligned on future vision.
We are immensely grateful for Maestro Nelsons’ 13 years of dedicated service to the BSO, and his many contributions in his role as both Music Director, and as Head of Conducting at the Tanglewood Music Center. We look forward to properly celebrating and honoring his tenure throughout the 2026-2027 season.
As we work to chart a course for our future that puts our beloved orchestra in a position to thrive in the years ahead, we and Maestro Nelsons are committed to ensuring a smooth, professional conclusion to his tenure as Music Director so that we can continue our vital work together of making music at the highest level of excellence, and serving as an artistic and civic pillar in Boston, the Berkshires, and beyond.
The Trustees of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Chad Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer
This is extremely unBoston behaviour but typical for Smith who was known in his previous LA Phil job for high-handedness and staff harrassment. Nelsons, a non-aggressive man, was no match for Smith’s ambitions. The retirement of artist administrator Tony Fogg made it that much easier for Smith to get his way.
So what next? Smith will have a diversity candidate as his music director. Nelsons will move his focus back to Europe, where he was renewed as music director in Leipzig six months ago. The only private pupil of the sorely-missed Mariss Jansons, he is highly prized by the Vienna Philharmonic and in the prime of his performing career.
Just not good enough for Boston, apparently.