The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's Music Director Louis Langrée is not renewing his contract, which expires after the 2023-24 season. Langrée has been with th CSO since 2013.
"This hasn’t been an easy decision to make because this orchestra and the Cincinnati community have such a special place in my heart," Langrée says in a statement. "But to keep the orchestra fresh, relevant and vital, new leadership with other perspectives is necessary. I chose to make this announcement now to ensure a smooth and harmonious transition to my successor."
CSO President & CEO Jonathan Martin says the next three seasons will be a celebration of Langrée's "remarkable artistry and his devotion to our city. We have been the fortunate beneficiaries of his deep commitment to music and to sharing it as widely as possible and look forward to a long relationship with him well past his tenure."
Langrée says he's not finished with the CSO just yet. "My Cincinnati tenure is such an important chapter in my musical life and that is why it will be so special to come back often to guest conduct the orchestra and to reunite with musicians and audiences."
Since his start, Langrée and the symphony have commissioned or co-commissioned 36 orchestral works. He hired Stefani Matsuo as the orchestra’s first female concertmaster. He was a major part of the CSO's 125th anniversary season programs. Langrée led the orchestra on tours through Europe and Asia and to the Lincoln Center's Great Performers series. Under his direction, the orchestra earned two Grammy Award nominations for Best Orchestral Performance.
According to the CSO, Langrée was previously music director of the Orchestre de Picardie, Opéra National de Lyon, Glyndebourne Touring Opera, Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, and chief conductor of the Camerata Salzburg.
The CSO is forming a search committee comprised of individuals from the board, CSO musicians and administrative staff to begin the search for his replacement.
