Leipzig Gewandhaus Extends Andris Nelsons to 2032 as Boston Symphony Ouster Sparks Red Flower Protests
Andris Nelsons' contract with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra has been extended for an additional five years, ensuring his tenure until at least 2032. In contrast, the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) revealed in March that it would not keep him after the upcoming Tanglewood season, prompting protests from patrons and concerns about financial stability. Gewandhaus director Andreas Schulz expressed bewilderment regarding Boston's choice, emphasizing that Nelsons conducts for various European orchestras. While the Leipzig orchestra sent a supportive letter to Boston, they chose not to participate in the red flower campaign. Principal horn Bernhard Krug lauded Nelsons, and Schulz pointed out the contrasting funding and respect levels between Leipzig and Boston. The new BSO labor agreement allocates half of the search committee seats to players, yet CEO Chad Smith maintains final authority over the Leipzig collaboration until 2027.
Key facts
- Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra extended Andris Nelsons' contract by five years, until at least 2032.
- Boston Symphony Orchestra announced in March it would not retain Nelsons after the Tanglewood season next year.
- Protests, financial turmoil, and tense negotiations over a new contract averted a potential strike.
- Musicians and patrons wear red flower pins in support of Nelsons, referencing Latvia's flag.
- The alliance between the orchestras includes musician exchanges, joint performances, and co-commissioned works.
- The current partnership agreement runs through 2027.
- A joint Shostakovich festival last year marked the 50th anniversary of the composer's death.
- The new BSO collective bargaining agreement gives players half the search committee seats and an effective veto.
Entities
Artists
- Andris Nelsons
- Andreas Schulz
- Bernhard Krug
- Kerstin Schaal
- Nepomuk Vorberger
- Johann Sebastian Bach
- Felix Mendelssohn
- Richard Strauss
- Dmitri Shostakovich
- Ludwig van Beethoven
- Marty Walsh
- Chad Smith
- Barbara Hostetter
- Christopher Huffaker
Institutions
- Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
- Boston Symphony Orchestra
- Vienna Philharmonic
- Tanglewood
- Mendelssohn Academy
- Thomaskirche
- Barr Foundation
- Boston Globe
- Orchestra Board
Locations
- Leipzig
- Germany
- Boston
- United States
- Latvia
- Vienna
- Austria
- Western Massachusetts
- Berkshires