NAC president and CEO Peter Herrndorf said in a statement, "After more than seven years at a breakneck pace leading the NAC Orchestra to new heights of artistic excellence, Pinchas Zukerman is taking a well-deserved and much-needed break to rest and plan for the next exciting phase of the Orchestra's development."

New conductors, yet to be announced, will replace Zukerman for his scheduled concerts from January to the close of the 2005-2006 season.

Zukerman, who is also a violinist, will perform as scheduled at a May 10, 2006, concert at the NAC with Itzhak Perlman. According to his spokesperson, he will not miss any scheduled concerts outside the NAC.