Koussevitzky@150: Koussevitzky & Bartok’s Concerto
By Ralph Graves
When Serge Koussevitzky commissioned a new orchestral work from Bela Bartok, he did not expect the ailing composer to live to complete the score. Bartok rallied and produced one of his greatest masterpieces — the Concerto for Orchestra. He even felt strong enough to attend Koussevitzky’s rehearsals.
Boston Symphony violinist Harry Ellis Dickson describes the scene at Orchestra Hall the day before the premiere, and we hear Koussevitzky perform the music in concert. Also on the program, Strauss’s Don Juan.
Koussevkitzky@150 airs Wednesdays at
9:00 am and 6:00 pm
on charlottesvilleclassical.org
Featured Recordings:
| Strauss: Don Juan | Serge Koussevitzky Boston Symphony | Koussevitzky Conducts Richard Strauss | Biddulph 54 | 1947 |
| Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra | Serge Koussevitzky Boston Symphony | Koussevitzky: Bartok and Piston Premieres | Pristine PASC463 | 1944 |
