We have received this unequivocal statement from the musicians of the Boston Symphony Orchestra:
We, the musicians of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, support our beloved Music Director Andris Nelsons.
We strongly oppose the decision by the Board of Trustees to end the appointment of Maestro Nelsons.
The musicians believe in Andris’s vision for the future.
Good for them. I think Chad will be on his way soon.
- West Coast says: You can only hope. That guy has always had disdain for the product (musicians). Maybe he can go run a museum instead. Philipp Lord Chandos says: He doesn’t belong in a museum either.
- Philipp Lord Chandos says: He doesn’t belong in a museum either.
- Simon says: Having attended a BSO concert last year I welcome the removal of Nelsons. The orchestra played without phrasing of any kind, the balance was awful and their rendition of Mozart was heavy and sloppy. It was almost like they just don’t care. They need a director who will kick them up the proverbial …
You can only hope. That guy has always had disdain for the product (musicians). Maybe he can go run a museum instead.
He doesn’t belong in a museum either.
Having attended a BSO concert last year I welcome the removal of Nelsons. The orchestra played without phrasing of any kind, the balance was awful and their rendition of Mozart was heavy and sloppy. It was almost like they just don’t care. They need a director who will kick them up the proverbial …
Reading the prior posts about the publicist of the BSO, it reminds me that I heard Deborah Borda is consulting for the BSO and Smith. Is she laying the groundwork for her old pal Esa-Pekka Salonen’s next job, after things didn’t end so well in San Francisco?
- Tristan says: Nelsons is way better than Salonen Philipp Lord Chandos says: He’s way older.
- Philipp Lord Chandos says: He’s way older.
- Gerry Feinsteen says: We can predict the BSo will choose an Elim Chan. Check Polymarket soon for further details. She checks almost all of the boxes. The BSo is a ragged ensemble these days. They get to save money every time they choose a freelancer over choosing a new contract hire. The strings and brass are as together as Ben Affleck and J Lo—and they do it for the kids. What it really comes down to at BSo is simple: The older, tenured members are gravely threatened by the younger generation; The best of the younger generation would rather gig in NYC than gag in Boston. There’s a brain drain in Boston—just move down to Florida or Texas where there aren’t sanctuary cities to compromise artistry and audience safety. …have you not been outside of Symphony Hall late at night in recent weeks? Stay protected. In two years the Tehran Symphony will be hosting a Copland program. Let’s look forward with great anticipation! Erik Linus-D'Orff says: Gerry: Nothing—*nothing*—you said is right. Tonyd says: Cranky?
- Erik Linus-D'Orff says: Gerry: Nothing—*nothing*—you said is right.
Nelsons is way better than Salonen
We can predict the BSo will choose an Elim Chan. Check Polymarket soon for further details. She checks almost all of the boxes.
The BSo is a ragged ensemble these days. They get to save money every time they choose a freelancer over choosing a new contract hire. The strings and brass are as together as Ben Affleck and J Lo—and they do it for the kids.
What it really comes down to at BSo is simple: The older, tenured members are gravely threatened by the younger generation; The best of the younger generation would rather gig in NYC than gag in Boston.
There’s a brain drain in Boston—just move down to Florida or Texas where there aren’t sanctuary cities to compromise artistry and audience safety. …have you not been outside of Symphony Hall late at night in recent weeks? Stay protected.
In two years the Tehran Symphony will be hosting a Copland program. Let’s look forward with great anticipation!
Maybe he’ll stay and the CSO will be sent packing.
Is the board going to suggest Leonard Slatkin or Herbert Blomstedt as the next music director? LOL. Boards need to listen to the musicians! Chicago did it and so far so good
CSO with Mäkelä was significantly better than VPO and Nelsons recent;y in Carnegie.
I wonder whether the board was aware of the overwhelming sentiment of the musicians. If they were not, shame of them. If they were, it would be interesting to know what exactly where the boards compelling reason for making this decision that will obviously create a good deal of dissatisfaction among the musicians who are much more important than the board in selling the product to the customers.
Unfortunately, the suits especially here in the UK, take no notice of the orchestras preference. We know, they don’t as are pen pushers, clip board types. Harsh but true. Most times the musicians opinions are secondary! Nelsons is extraordinary and BSO are so lucky to have such an artistic director.
According to the headline, it’s rather confusing because Boston Symphony “Musicians” may not make up the majority of the “ensemble.”
Last I heard the Red Sox will be donning new beautiful red hats this season. That’s the spirit of the Tea Party.
It’s all about money, of course.
- John Borstlap says: Very probably not. The players like Nelson, that is clear. Concertgebouw79 says: Sad to read that. I have seen Nelson and Boston in concerts twice great memories. Boston is a place where there are not this kind of things. Normally it’s quiet and they keep for a long time the same MD… There’s a conductor now they should try it’s Rouvali.
- Concertgebouw79 says: Sad to read that. I have seen Nelson and Boston in concerts twice great memories. Boston is a place where there are not this kind of things. Normally it’s quiet and they keep for a long time the same MD… There’s a conductor now they should try it’s Rouvali.
Very probably not. The players like Nelson, that is clear.
Sad to read that. I have seen Nelson and Boston in concerts twice great memories. Boston is a place where there are not this kind of things. Normally it’s quiet and they keep for a long time the same MD… There’s a conductor now they should try it’s Rouvali.
Speaking from total ignorance does the board not consult the orchestra before making such a decision??
- OrkDork says: Typically boards do one of two things: 1) Whatever the hell they want 2) consult the musicians, and then do whatever the hell they were going to do anyway I would wager that’s is/will be happening in Los Angeles as they search for their next MD, but I have also heard that the new CEO there is great and actually cares about the musicians. So we’ll see…
- John Borstlap says: That was, of course, the mistake.
Typically boards do one of two things:
1) Whatever the hell they want 2) consult the musicians, and then do whatever the hell they were going to do anyway
I would wager that’s is/will be happening in Los Angeles as they search for their next MD, but I have also heard that the new CEO there is great and actually cares about the musicians. So we’ll see…
That was, of course, the mistake.
Nelsons. Smith. Fogg. Gail Samuel (remember her?) Lots of staff. One name that never comes up is Barbara Hostetter, the Board Chair. Where is her name in this perpetual state of transition? If the Music Director and the Board are “not aligned on a vision for the future” shouldn’t she be able to articulate what that vision is? Isn’t it time for the board to demand some accountability for her performance?
- Principle says: BRAVO!! Yes, yes and yes!!!!!! Trombonist2025 says: I mean, technically, any board of trustees or directors speaks as one voice. The chair is the mouthpiece of the board, so one can surmise that their vision – at this time – is that a change in conducting leadership is necessary. I was bit confused by a previous article suggesting this decision was in line with the musicians’ sentiments about Nelsons. Perhaps not…
- Trombonist2025 says: I mean, technically, any board of trustees or directors speaks as one voice. The chair is the mouthpiece of the board, so one can surmise that their vision – at this time – is that a change in conducting leadership is necessary. I was bit confused by a previous article suggesting this decision was in line with the musicians’ sentiments about Nelsons. Perhaps not…
- Tennis buff says: Or are they her rubber stamps.
I mean, technically, any board of trustees or directors speaks as one voice. The chair is the mouthpiece of the board, so one can surmise that their vision – at this time – is that a change in conducting leadership is necessary. I was bit confused by a previous article suggesting this decision was in line with the musicians’ sentiments about Nelsons. Perhaps not…
Or are they her rubber stamps.
It hasn’t been made clear what each person’s vision is for their future, but as a music lover, I would prefer what Nelsons has in mind, over whatever Chad Smith has in mind.
I’m particularly amazed at the timing of the BSO firing Nelsons as the organization should be focusing on the fact that this week the guest conductor is Herbert Blomstedt and now this news has cast a complete shadow over what should have been celebratory weekend for musicians and audience.
