The St Louis Symphony has extended music director David Robertson’s contract until the end of the 2015-16 season. The conductor, who began his tenure as the orchestra’s 12th music director in 2005, expressed his ‘delight’ at the contract renewal, citing the musicians’ ‘professional spirit, warmth, enthusiasm and love of sharing music’s joy’.

‘The extension of David Robertson’s contract is another critical piece of the St Louis Symphony’s continuing progress towards institutional strength and stability,’ said the orchestra’s president and CEO Fred Bronstein.  ‘Like the early extension this past June of our collective bargaining agreement with our musicians through 2017, David’s renewal and the tremendous energy and commitment he brings ensures that our artistic profile and landscape will continue to blossom both here in St Louis and on the national and international stage.’

In September 2012, Robertson led the orchestra on a European tour, their first international concerts since 1998, including appearances at London’s BBC Proms, Berlin’s Philharmonie as part of the Berlin Festival, Switzerland’s Lucerne Festival and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. He will also lead the Symphony in a series of concerts in California in March 2013, following a successful tour in 2010.

In January 2014, Robertson will become chief conductor and artistic director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on an initial four-year contract.