A Brief History Of The Boston Symphony Orchestra

he case with many of America’s pre-eminenta number of musicians trained in France encouraged
orchestras—of which the Boston Symphony is clearlythe furtherance of this tradition.
one—the ensemble’s history can be told as aIn 1924, the Boston Symphony signed Russian-born
series of stories about its conductors. These singularSerge Koussevitzky to be its principal conductor and
stars of the podium command significant salaries andmusic director, and this dynamic individual remained in
enjoy considerable influence over anthose twin posts for 25 years, an almost
orchestra’s schedule, the type of sound itunprecedented situation in classical orchestra circles.
presents to the public, and even whether or not it willUnder his leadership the BSO began a series of radio
perform on tour—and where. Most principalbroadcasts, and he also encouraged wider exposure
conductors also take on the title of music director,by taking the ensemble west to the Berkshire
which gives them the power to make these kinds ofMountains for annual summer concerts. This program
organization-changing decisions.led to the founding of Tanglewood in 1940, and the
The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) wasvenue has served as the summer home of the
founded in 1881, making it one of the oldest orchestrasBoston Symphony ever since. During his tenure with
in the United States with a continuous performingthe BSO, Koussevitzky commissioned orchestral
history. The founder was Henry Lee Higginson, aworks from a number of prominent composers. These
wealthy businessman born in New York City butpieces included Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 4,
raised in Boston from the age of four. He was a UnionStravinsky’s "Symphony of Psalms," and
Army officer during the U.S. Civil War and acquiredBartok’s "Concerto for Orchestra" (which was
considerable wealth following the conflict while workingactually commissioned by the maestro’s
in his father’s brokerage firm—having firstpersonal foundation but given its premiere by the
failed on his own in both the oil business and as theBSO). The Russian director left in 1949, to be
owner of a Georgia cotton farm. After struggling forsucceeded by French/Alsatian conductor Charles
some years to find its audience, the BSO began toMunch. He remained with the orchestra until 1962, at
flourish in the early years of the 20th century, thanks inwhich point Erich Leinsdorf took over as director.
great part to finding a permanent home in SymphonyFor the Boston Symphony, the latter half of the 20th
Hall, which hosted its first concert on October 15, 1900.century was dominated by the reign of Seiji Ozawa,
The orchestra was dominated in its early days by awho led the orchestra from 1973 until 2002. Ozawa
string of German-born conductors, among themcontinued the ensemble’s reputation for
Wilhelm Gericke, Max Fiedler, and Karl Muck. Maestroexcellence—he toured with them numerous times all
Muck served two terms as BSO music director—hisaround the world—as well as making hundreds of
final stint took place from 1912—18—and leftrecordings on a variety of record labels. James Levine,
with some rancor due to a rising tide of anti-Germanthe first American to lead the Boston Symphony,
American public opinion after the country had enteredreplaced him in 2004. Levine helped revitalize the
World War I. Two French conductors succeeded him,orchestra’s reputation for playing new music,
and the orchestra began to emphasize the Frenchleading them in no fewer than 18 world premieres in six
classical tradition from that point onward. The hiring ofyears.