After six years at the helm of the New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden is stepping down.

The Dutch-born, 60-year old conductor plans to hang up the baton at the end of the 2023-24 season which would make his tenure in the position the shortest of anyone in a half-century.

van Zweden cited the pandemic for changing his priorities.

He informed the orchestra about his decision at the end of Wednesday’s rehearsal.