Breaking: Andris Nelsons delays his arrival in Leipzig

First, Kirill Petrenko put Berlin Phil on hold.

Now Andris Nelsons has told the Leipzig Gewandhaus he can’t start as music director in May 2017, as planned. Too busy in Boston, and elsewhere.

The earliest he can pick up the baton is February 2018, with a first tour in May 2018.

That leaves two major German orchestras twiddling their thumbs in a lengthy interregnum.

Not good for business. Or music.

Andris the Unready

UPDATE from Professor Andreas Schulz, Gewandhausdirektor:

It was with great joy that we announced the appointment of Andris Nelsons as Gewandhauskapellmeister from the 2017/2018 season at our press conference on September 9. Having carefully assessed our respective commitments in the 2017/2018 season together with Andris Nelsons and his management, we have mutually taken the decision to celebrate his inauguration in February 2018, together with the 275^th birthday of the Gewandhausorchester. We anticipate this exceptional anniversary season will create a widespread artistic and public impact, setting the stage for many exciting years to come. We are more than happy to welcome our new Gewandhauskapellmeister after such a short interim. Andris Nelsons will begin his tenure in Leipzig with several weeks of concerts, a tour through Europe and two extraordinary open air concerts. We are very much looking forward to having him with us at the Gewandhausorchester.