The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra announced today that Andris Nelsons, one of the world’s most sought after conductors, will be extending his contract with the CBSO on the basis of an annual rolling renewal from the 2014/15 season onwards.
Andris Nelsons Picture by Adrian Burrows
Andris was unanimously invited to be Music Director from 2008 by the CBSO’s players and board of trustees, after just a private concert and recording session. Since his appointment, he and the Orchestra have created many ‘once in a lifetime’ performances such as Wagner’s Lohengrin and the 50th Anniversary performance of Britten’s War Requiem in Coventry Cathedral. The partnership attracts some of the best singers and musicians from across the world, performing to ecstatic audiences at both Symphony Hall, Birmingham and throughout Europe. Award-winning recordings released by the record label Orfeo, including acclaimed series of Tchaikovsky and Strauss, also continue to cement this distinctive relationship.
Stephen Maddock, chief executive of the CBSO, said: “The chemistry between Andris and the musicians and audiences of the CBSO family has always been very special and there have been many electric performances and recordings since his appointment here.
“As we start our Beethoven cycle in Birmingham, visit the BBC Proms, the Edinburgh International Festival, and depart for a major European Summer Tour, including a five day residency at the Lucerne Festival, we are delighted to confirm the extension of this relationship and look forward to sharing our plans for the future in due course.”
Away from Birmingham, Andris has earned himself a distinguished name on both the opera and concert podiums, collaborating with the Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Boston Symphony and New York Philharmonic. He has toured Japan with the Vienna Philharmonic and regularly appears at the Royal Opera House and the Bayreuth Festival.
Andris said: “My colleagues and friends in the CBSO family are very important to me and it is a great pleasure to be continuing our partnership into future seasons. We have shared many wonderful experiences over the last four years and I am looking forward to exploring more thrilling music together. It is a privilege to be working with this fantastic orchestra and to represent Birmingham together across the world. I look forward, in hope, to the continuation of the wonderful support that we have gratefully received from our many audiences and partners!”
Over the summer, Andris and the CBSO will be appearing at some of the most prestigious European festivals, including their residency at the Lucerne Festival with the CBSO Chorus. Highlights in the 2012-13 season include Mahler’s momentous Resurrection Symphony, Wagner’s romantic opera The Flying Dutchman and a Beethoven cycle which features all of the great composer’s symphonies.
For full details on the 2012-13 season or to find out more visit www.cbso.co.uk.