BOURNEMOUTH Symphony Orchestra’s long-standing conductor has announced he will step down next year. 

Kirill Karabits, the BSO’s second-longest serving chief conductor who has been with the orchestra for 15 years, will step down from his role in the summer of 2024. 

From autumn 2024, the Ukrainian conductor will become conductor laureate, artistic director of Voices from the East. 

Karabits and the BSO over the years have performed cycles of Beethoven, Brahms and Prokofiev and given UK premieres of works from CPE Bach to contemporary music from Azerbaijan. 

Mr Karabits said: “I have never forgotten my first encounter with the BSO. I immediately felt this was a very special group of musicians, and, artistically, we have continued to grow together over the last fifteen years.  

Read more: Review: New Year’s Day Viennese Gala, BSO, Lighthouse Poole

“It feels like a home from home — and never more so than during these last few years, where this community of musicians and audience has been of great support.” 

Dougie Scarfe, chief executive of BSO, said: “Kirill is an outstanding conductor and musician, he is also a wonderful human and a musical detective unlike any other.  

“His creative influence over the past fifteen years has defined the modern BSO — his understanding not just the music, but of that magical relationship between music, musicians and audience has created numerous life-affirming experiences for our musical community over the years.”