![Franz Welser-Most conducting the Cleveland Orchestra. [Cleveland Orchestra]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4de091f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/980x551+0+0/resize/840x472!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F9%2F20%2Fclevelandorchestra_web.jpg)
The Cleveland Orchestra announced the extension for Conductor Franz Welser-Most at its season opening on Saturday.
Welser-Most started with the orchestra in 2002 and the five-year extension will keep him there until 2027.
Welser-Most has maintained the orchestra’s status as one of the best in the world, while leading it through its 100-year celebration last year.
The orchestra’s CEO, Andre Gremillet, said extending Welser-Most’s contract was an easy decision.
“He’s a wonderful musician who works really, really well with the orchestra,” Gremillet said. “So he’s a superb artistic leader who challenges the orchestra to do its best every day.”
Welser-Most is the seventh musical director in the orchestra's hundred year history. In 2027, he will surpass George Szell is its longest-serving conductor.
Plans for the remainder of Welser-Most's tenure include releasing audio recordings, creating a fellowship program to increase diversity in the orchestra and putting on an opera in each of the next five years.
According to a trade paper compilation of orchestra revenue and conductor salaries, Welser-Most had the eighth highest salary among conductors in the 2016-2017 season.
