CBSO keeps Andris Nelsons until 2014

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra has extended the contract of its music director, Andris Nelsons, for a further three years, keeping him in Birmingham until 2014.

The extension, announced in July, comes at the end of the young Latvian conductor's first season in charge.

An unusual appointment

Nelsons was named as the orchestra's next music director in October 2007, taking up the post at the start of the 2008-09 season on an initial three-year contract. The appointment was unusual because he had never conducted the CBSO in a public concert, only in a private concert and a recording session.

His first season has been a great success, winning praise from critics and audiences for the energy and passion of his performances.

A great tradition

Nelsons follows in the footsteps of some of the most celebrated conductors in the world. Simon Rattle became the orchestra's principal conductor in 1980, and under him the CBSO became one of the leading orchestras in Europe, known for its interpretations of Mahler and Sibelius. He was named music director in 1990, and led the orchestra's move from the Town Hall to Symphony Hall in 1991.

Rattle was followed by the Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo, who became principal conductor in 1998 and music director in 1999, championing contemporary music until he stepped down in 2008.

A civic orchestra

The CBSO was founded in 1920, after campaigners including Neville Chamberlain, then Lord Mayor, argued that Birmingham should have a permanent, publicly funded orchestra. The city council's grant was the first time public money had been used to support an orchestra in Britain. Edward Elgar conducted a concert of his own works at the orchestra's first symphony concert, at the Town Hall in November 1920.

Symphony Hall

The orchestra's home, Symphony Hall, part of the International Convention Centre on Broad Street, is renowned for its acoustics. The CBSO also has its own centre in a converted factory nearby, used for rehearsals and smaller concerts.

Looking ahead

The extension gives the orchestra stability at a time when arts organisations are facing financial pressure because of the recession.

For Birmingham's music lovers, the news means they can look forward to several more seasons with one of the most exciting young conductors in the world, and it confirms the CBSO's reputation for spotting great talent early.

Nelsons, born in Riga in 1978, trained as a trumpeter before turning to conducting, and he was principal trumpet in the Latvian National Opera orchestra before becoming its music director. He is one of the youngest conductors ever to lead a major British orchestra, and his energetic style on the podium has already made him a favourite with Birmingham audiences.