The Boston Symphony Orchestra entered a distinct golden era in 1924 under the leadership of Serge Koussevitzky, a Russian-born conductor who transformed the ensemble into an international standard-bearer. Over the next twenty-five years, he established an expansive legacy defined by his dual commitment to the standard orchestral repertoire and the urgent promotion of contemporary musical voices.
Early Virtuosity and Training
Born in 1874 in Vyshny Volochyok, Koussevitzky received his initial musical training from his parents, who taught him piano, cello, violin, and trumpet. At fourteen, he entered the Musico-Dramatic Institute of the Moscow Philharmonic Society to study double bass. He joined the Bolshoi Theatre orchestra in 1894, eventually succeeding his teacher, Rambusek, as principal bassist in 1901. His skill as a soloist earned him critical acclaim, particularly following his 1903 Berlin recital and the 1905 Moscow premiere of his own double bass concerto.
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After marrying his second wife, Natalie Ushkova, in 1905, Koussevitzky moved to Berlin to study conducting with Arthur Nikisch. He launched his conducting career in 1908 by hiring the Berlin Philharmonic. Upon returning to Russia, he established his own orchestra and the publishing firm Éditions Russes de Musique. This venture secured rights to works by significant composers, including Sergei Prokofiev, Igor Stravinsky, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, he directed the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Petrograd before relocating to Paris in 1920 to organize the Concerts Koussevitzky.
American Stewardship and Tanglewood
Koussevitzky became music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1924, a position he held until 1949. During his tenure, he played a fundamental role in developing the Tanglewood music center. A lifelong champion of new compositions, he commissioned works for the orchestra's 50th anniversary from composers such as Paul Hindemith, Howard Hanson, and Maurice Ravel. He also focused on musical education, mentoring figures such as Leonard Bernstein and Sarah Caldwell. He became a United States citizen in 1941.
Fast facts
- Born: 1874, Vyshny Volochyok
- Died: 1951, Boston
- Primary Instrument: Double bass
- Boston Symphony Orchestra tenure: 1924–1949
- Spouses: Nadezhda Galat, Natalie Ushkova, Olga Naumova
- Citizenships: Russian Empire, Soviet Union, United States
Questions readers ask
Which major orchestra did Koussevitzky direct for twenty-five years?
He served as the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1924 to 1949.
What was his role in the development of Tanglewood?
He worked with Gertrude Robinson Smith to develop the summer concert and educational programs at Tanglewood, where the main performance venue is named in his honor.
Which firm did Koussevitzky establish to support composers?
He founded the publishing firm Éditions Russes de Musique, which held the rights to numerous compositions by contemporaries like Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff.
Achievements
- Instruments: double bass
- Genres: classical music
