BSO declines to renew Andris Nelsons’ contract

In an abrupt move, the Boston Symphony Orchestra said Friday that it would break with its longtime director Andris Nelsons at the close of the 2027 Tanglewood season.

The board of trustees said in a statement that it had chosen not to renew his contract because “the BSO and Andris Nelsons were not aligned on future vision.” The statement, signed by the orchestra’s board along with BSO president Chad Smith, added: “We are immensely grateful for Maestro Nelsons’ 13 years of dedicated service.”

Nelsons called it “difficult news.”