James Levine

James Levine James Levine steps down as music director of Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The Phoenix has learned that James Levine will step down as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra tonight.

On Monday, Levine withdrew from the remainder of his BSO commitments this season two programs at Symphony Hall, including the world premiere this week of a BSO commissioned violin concerto by British composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle, and an East Coast tour that included dates at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center citing the ill effects from a recent procedure addressing his ongoing back issues, further complicated by a viral infection.

Levine, 67, was named BSO music director designate in October 2001, and took over the orchestra's artistic leadership in 2004. His tenure has been marked by artistic brilliance and critical acclaim when he was on the podium. Myriad health problems, including a torn rotator cuff suffered in a 2006 on stage fall, 2008 kidney surgery to remove a cancerous cyst, and back surgery, have forced the cancellation of numerous concerts. Last season, he was forced to miss half of the BSO's season, and all of Tanglewood.