Over the past three years, violinist Andres Cardenes began to seriously consider leaving his post as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's concertmaster to follow other ambitions as a conductor or even to form a string quartet. It caused an internal stir, but the prospect of him vacating the leadership position he has held since 1989 is troubling no more. Yesterday, Cardenes signed a five-year contract with the PSO. Retro-dated to Sept. 1, it extends through Aug. 31, 2011.

Terms have not been disclosed, but the new contract calls for him to conduct a subscription concert each season, beginning in the 2007-08 season.

"I needed time to think, figuring out what I wanted to do," said Cardenes, 49. "There is a finite aspect for everything and I have a lot of aspirations. I am very driven. I am not going to be at the top of my game forever. I would like to leave when I am in good shape. In the next few years there will be other issues to consider, such as how long I want to be an orchestral player. A lot of concertmasters basically died in their chairs, and I don't plan to."

In the end, though, his love for the PSO and its artistic excellence made his decision to put off a career refocusing.

"I play with some unbelievably talented musicians in this orchestra in a quantity you don't find very often," said Cardenes, who also enjoys his opportunities here. He conducts the PSO chamber orchestra, solos extensively and coordinates the string sections.

"He provides wonderful artistic leadership for us as a string section and orchestra," said PSO cellist Anne Martindale Williams.

Cardenes will continue to guest-conduct and perform internationally.

In 1982, he won second prize in the Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition in Moscow. He also teaches at Carnegie Mellon University.