Boston Symphony Orchestra

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The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five major American symphony orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five." Founded in 1881, the BSO performs most of its concerts at Symphony Hall in Boston and also performs at the Tanglewood Music Center in the summer.

History[edit | edit source]

The Boston Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1881 by Henry Lee Higginson. The orchestra's first concert took place on October 22, 1881, under the direction of Georg Henschel. Over the years, the BSO has been led by many notable conductors, including Arthur Nikisch, Pierre Monteux, Serge Koussevitzky, Charles Munch, Erich Leinsdorf, William Steinberg, Seiji Ozawa, and James Levine.

Symphony Hall[edit | edit source]

Symphony Hall has been the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since its opening in 1900. The hall is renowned for its acoustics and is considered one of the finest concert halls in the world. It was designed by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White in collaboration with Wallace Clement Sabine, a pioneer in the field of architectural acoustics.

Tanglewood[edit | edit source]

The BSO's summer home is the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Massachusetts. Tanglewood has been the orchestra's summer residence since 1937 and is also the site of the Tanglewood Music Festival, which features performances by the BSO as well as other artists and ensembles.

Music Directors[edit | edit source]

The BSO has had a number of distinguished music directors throughout its history. Some of the most notable include:

Georg Henschel (1881–1884)
Arthur Nikisch (1889–1893)
Pierre Monteux (1919–1924)
Serge Koussevitzky (1924–1949)
Charles Munch (1949–1962)
Erich Leinsdorf (1962–1969)
Seiji Ozawa (1973–2002)
James Levine (2004–2011)
Andris Nelsons (2014–present)

Recordings and Broadcasts[edit | edit source]

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has a long history of recordings, dating back to the early 20th century. The orchestra has recorded for several major labels, including RCA Victor, Deutsche Grammophon, and Philips Records. The BSO also has a significant presence on radio and television, with regular broadcasts on WGBH and PBS.

Education and Outreach[edit | edit source]

The BSO is committed to music education and outreach. The orchestra offers a variety of educational programs, including the Boston Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Tanglewood Music Center, and numerous community engagement initiatives.