Boston Symphony Orchestra

==Boston Symphony Orchestra== The '''Boston Symphony Orchestra''' (BSO) is a world-class orchestra that was established in 1881, fulfilling the vision of its founder Henry Lee Higginson, a Civil War veteran, businessman, and philanthropist. Higginson's dream was to create a great and permanent orchestra in his hometown of Boston. The BSO gave its inaugural concert on October 22, 1881, under the baton of Georg Henschel, who served as the orchestra's first conductor until 1884. ===History=== The BSO's history is marked by the contributions of its music directors and the evolution of its programming and educational outreach. The orchestra's performances were initially held at the old Boston Music Hall until Symphony Hall, renowned for its exceptional acoustics, opened on October 15, 1900. The BSO has been led by a distinguished list of conductors, including Wilhelm Gericke, Arthur Nikisch, Emil Paur, Max Fiedler, Karl Muck, Henri Rabaud, Pierre Monteux, and the iconic Serge Koussevitzky. Koussevitzky, the music director from 1924 to 1949, was instrumental in establishing the orchestra's summer home at Tanglewood in the Berkshires in 1937 and founded the Berkshire Music Center, now known as the Tanglewood Music Center. His successors included Charles Munch, Erich Leinsdorf, William Steinberg, Seiji Ozawa—who had a historic twenty-nine-year tenure—and James Levine, the first American-born conductor to hold the position. In May 2013, the BSO began a new chapter with the appointment of Andris Nelsons as its music director, starting in the 2014-15 season. Under Nelsons' leadership, the BSO has won Grammy Awards and embarked on notable international tours, including a historic alliance with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. ===Outreach and Education=== The BSO is committed to reaching a broad audience through various means, including educational and community programs, radio, television, recordings, and tours. It has expanded its educational activities to strengthen its presence within the community, providing individuals of all backgrounds the opportunity to develop relationships with the orchestra and orchestral music. The BSO also operates the Tanglewood Music Center, a premier training ground for young professional-caliber musicians. ===Tanglewood and Boston Pops=== In addition to its regular season in Boston, the BSO performs at Tanglewood, its summer home in Lenox, Massachusetts, which hosts one of the world's most important music festivals. The Boston Pops Orchestra, part of the BSO family, is known for its performances of lighter music, including jazz, pop, rock, film music, and the great American songbook. ===Symphony Hall=== Symphony Hall, the BSO's historic concert hall in Boston, Massachusetts, is celebrated for its lively acoustics and has been the orchestra's home since its opening in 1900. The hall has witnessed countless memorable performances and remains a central part of the BSO's identity. ===Modern Era=== Today, the BSO continues to fulfill Higginson's vision by reaching millions of listeners worldwide through not only its live performances but also through streaming on BSO NOW, educational programs, and the use of electronic media. The orchestra has adapted to changing times, including expanding its online streaming capabilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, thus bringing its music to a global audience. The '''Boston Symphony Orchestra''' remains a pillar of the classical music world, dedicated to presenting the highest level of music-making, supporting contemporary composers through commissions, and nurturing the next generation of musicians and music lovers.