norman lebrecht
March 28, 2026
The Boston Symphony CEO, facing an orchestra that has unanimously tejected his sacking of music director Andris Nelsons, is trying out a softer line in an interview with the Globe.
In his first extensive remarks since the dismissal of conductor Andris Nelsons, Boston Symphony Orchestra president Chad Smith acknowledged an urgent need to repair relations with the orchestra’s musicians, who were blindsided by Nelsons’ ouster and are fuming at their bosses.
“We have a lot of work to do to rebuild trust with the musicians,” Smith said Friday, saying it will be “a major focus for me and the board going forward.”
Smith said the manner of Nelsons’ ouster was the result of a considered process that“rolled out in the way that it had to roll out.”
“The board made a deliberate decision about the future of the BSO,” Smith said, “and that is entirely what we have to focus on.”
Smith said the manner of Nelsons’ ouster was the result of a considered process that“rolled out in the way that it had to roll out.”
“The board made a deliberate decision about the future of the BSO,” Smith said, “and that is entirely what we have to focus on.”
Hours earlier, the BSO musicians issued a press release stating: ‘We received no reassurance that there is a path to rebuilding trust.’
Some board members are letting it be known that this matter could have been handled better.