The Boston Symphony Orchestra on Monday extended the contract of young Latvian conductor Andris Nelsons, hailing the warm reaction to his performances in his first year.

The orchestra announced a new eight-year deal with the 36-year-old music director, replacing an initial five-year duration.

Mark Volpe, managing director of the orchestra, hailed Nelsons' "magnificent musicianship, his extraordinary generosity of spirit and his deeply felt enthusiasm for music and for life."

The contract extends Nelsons' tenure through 2022 but includes a so-called evergreen clause, meaning it will be continually renewed unless otherwise decided.

The announcement comes days after Nelsons' first album with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in a partnership with label Deutsche Grammophon, which features works of Shostakovich, was named recording of the month by Gramophone, often considered the most prestigious publication in classical music.

Nelsons is leading six performances in August at Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony Orchestra's longtime summer retreat, before leading the musicians on an 12-concert tour of Europe.

Starting off as a trumpeter, Nelsons was named music director of the Latvian National Opera in his mid-20s.

He later headed the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in Britain, where he won praise for his interpretations and became a frequent guest at major international concert halls.
Source: AFP