Kirill Karabits: Final concert with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Kirill Karabits is the second-longest-serving chief conductor of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Ukrainian conductor Kirill Karabits has given his final Dorset performance with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) as he steps down after 15 years.

Karabits was made an Honorary OBE earlier this year for services to music and for the promotion of works from Ukraine and Eastern Europe in the UK.

The son of composer Ivan Karabits, he is the orchestra's second-longest-serving chief conductor.

The BSO performed Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony at Lighthouse Poole.

• Listen to musicians pay tribute to Kirill Karabits

The orchestra said its relationship with Karabits would continue as he becomes conductor laureate and artistic director of the BSO's Voices from the East strand.

Carol Paige, musician trustee and principal second violin, said working alongside Karabits had been "a voyage of discovery".

She said: "His musicality radiates from him when he's on the podium, inspiring us all to play our hearts out in order to produce the most thrilling live performances."

Karabits described the orchestra as "a very special group of musicians"

Karabits previously described the orchestra as "a very special group of musicians" and said he was "deeply proud" to continue his journey with BSO's Voices from the East.

"The warmth, friendship and open-minded approach here is very special," he said.

The BSO said Karabits had "made it his mission to source the orchestral gems that fell between the cracks" from Ukraine and other countries.

Chief executive Dougie Scarfe described him as "a wonderful human and a musical detective unlike any other".

The conductor previously said he was working to promote Ukrainian culture to support the nation following the Russian invasion.

Shortly after the war broke out in 2022, he told the BBC: "It's difficult to be away. My mother and sister are still in Kyiv.

"I just try to continue my activities as a conductor, despite this very difficult period... because I think I can do a lot more for the image of Ukraine... which needs support today by playing more Ukrainian music."

BSO said Karabits would play three more concerts with the orchestra - at London's Southbank Centre in May, the Bristol Beacon in June and the BBC Proms at the Bristol Beacon in August.

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