Meet the Music Director

Andris Nelsons
Music Director - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra 

“The greatest and brightest hope on the international conductor’s scene. The 30-year-old Latvian is a paragon of musicality.”
Der Tagesspiegel

nullAndris Nelsons is the Music Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. While still in the early stages of an international career, this achievement in particular has already distinguished his name as one of the most sought-after young conductors today.

Over the next few seasons he will continue collaborations with Het Concertgebouworkest, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Staatskapelle Berlin, Orchestre National de France, Pittsburgh Symphony, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln and Oslo Philharmonic. Debut appearances will include the Philharmonia Orchestra, Wiener Philharmoniker at the Musikverein, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, London Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Summer 2009 saw his debut at the Salzburg Festival.

In 2009/2010, Andris Nelsons made debut appearances at Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera New York, and has been reinvited to both. In May 2010, he returned to Wiener Staatsoper, stepping in for an indisposed Mariss Jansons for performances of Carmen. In summer 2010 he appears for the first time at Bayreuther Festspiele as Musical Director for Lohengrin, in a new production directed by Hans Neuenfels. Nelsons enjoyed a critically acclaimed first season with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, The Independent writing:

"The Nelsons era with the CBSO promises to be exhilarating, his concerts unmissable".

His second season has been equally well-received by audiences and critics alike:

"Andris Nelsons dynamic performances of Richard Strauss with the CBSO have been one of the strongest indicators of his exceptional gifts as a conductor."
The Guardian.

"In his second season as the CBSO's chief, Nelsons continues to be a complete magician, conjuring passionate yet elegant performances through solid musicianship, delicate hand gestures, flexible knees, and a star's charisma."
The Times.

"Andris Nelsons took conducting to a new level, words fail me, he was wonderful. The audience loved him but more importantly, so did the Orchestra."
Audience member.

Following a summer festivals tour in 2009, with performances at Lucerne Festival, Berliner Festspiele and the BBC Proms, they undertook an extensive European tour in March 2010. Their summer 2010 tour includes a return to Lucerne Festival and to BBC Proms and an appearance at Berlin's Waldbühne. They have also begun an exciting recording collaboration with Orfeo International. Releases have so far included Tchaikovsky Symphony No 5 and Hamlet Overture (recognised with a Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik) and a disc of Richard Strauss orchestral works, praised by The Times as: "one of the most sumptuous and refined accounts of 'Ein Heldenleben' ever put on to disc". The latest release features Stravinsky's The Firebird and Symphony of Psalms.

Born in Riga in 1978 into a family of musicians, Andris Nelsons began his career in music as a trumpeter in the Latvian National Opera Orchestra and has also won many prizes for his singing. He was recipient of the prestigious Latvian Grand Music Award for outstanding achievement in music in 2001 and, after graduating in the same year, he went to St. Petersburg to study conducting with Professor Alexander Titov. He has been studying privately with Mariss Jansons since 2002 and completed his tenure Principal Conductor of the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie in Herford, Germany, in 2009. From 2003-2007 he was Music Director of the Latvian National Opera.

For more information about Andris Nelsons please click on the links below.

Please do not reproduce this biography without permission. To request the biography for publications, please contact Ruth Green on rgreen@cbso.co.uk or on 0121 616 6511.

'Arrival of a Maestro' - Exclusive Video Documentary - Watch Online

CBSO Podcast - Andris Nelsons - The Interview

What the papers say...

What the audience say...

What the players say...

Andris Nelsons - the man behind the podium (BBC)

CBSO News Article - A new Music Director for the CBSO

CBSO Press Release - New CBSO Music Director Gives Spice Girls a Run for their Money 

CBSO Press Release - Andris Nelsons Announced as CBSO Music Director

If you are interested in supporting the CBSO and getting to know Andris a little better why not join the Music Director's Circle?
To find more about the scheme and how to get involved contact Eve Smith on 0121 616 6533.