2024 Pierce Performance: 150 Years of Koussevitzky — Night 2 Recap
The Associates of the Boston Public Library presented the second of three evenings in the sixth annual Pierce Performance Series, 150 Years of Koussevitzky, on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the Boston Public Library. This annual event aims to highlight treasures in the BPL's Special Collections through free public performances. This year honors the legendary Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor, Serge Koussevitzky. Peruse the digital program here.
The evening drew a remarkable audience of about 200 attendees, including notable figures such as Anthony Fogg, BSO's Vice-President of Artistic Planning, Bridget Carr, BSO’s Blanche and George Jones Director of Archives/Digital Collections, Anita Lincoln, Chair of the Pierce Performance Series Committee; C. F. “Rick” Stone III, Associates Treasurer, and Brian McCreath, CRB Director of Production and speaker for the series' third night, among many others.
The evening began with a warm welcome from the Associates' Executive Director, Louisa Bissett. Following her introduction, Jared Rex, the Associates-funded BPL Curator of Music, spoke about the significance of the BPL’s Serge Koussevitzky Collection. He noted that the collection, previously inaccessible online, has undergone extensive cataloging and digitization. In preparation for this special anniversary, 541 musical scores are now available in the BPL’s online catalog, Digital Commonwealth. Don’t forget to visit the Special Collections Lobby exhibit, Living in Music: Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, to see items from the Serge Koussevitzky collections from now till March 2025.
Associates Board Vice Chair, Usha Pasi, then introduced the evening’s distinguished speakers: Tom Godell and Harlow Robinson. Usha mentioned Tom Godell’s extensive work in public radio as an extraordinary contribution to society and noted that he established the Koussevitzky Recording Society in 1987 to preserve and promote the legacy of the conductor. She introduced Harlow Robinson, an author and lecturer and Northeastern University Professor Emeritus, and recognized him for his scholarly expertise, as Robinson has authored books on Sergei Prokofiev and Hollywood's Russians, and many other publications.
Tom and Harlow engaged the audience with a lively fireside chat, delving into Koussevitzky’s legacy, his advocacy and mentorship of American artists, and his enduring impact on classical music. They enriched the discussion with audio clips of Koussevitzky conducting, as well as recordings of voices from Koussevitzky's life and career.
The speakers then introduced Benjamin Britten’s String Quartet No. 2 in C, Op. 36, chosen for the evening’s performance. Tom shared how Koussevitzky’s support for Britten during World War II exemplified his dedication to nurturing great talent. This piece was performed by a quartet of Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians: Sheila Fiekowsky (violin), Daniel Getz (viola), Lisa Kim (violin), and Christine Lee (cello). Watch an excerpt of that performance here.
The evening concluded with a reminder from Louisa Bissett of the final event in the series, Koussevitzky, Musician on November 19th. The program will feature a discussion on Koussevitzky’s origins as a double bass virtuoso and impresario, featuring WCRB’s Brian McCreath and BSO Principal Bass Edwin Barker, along with a performance by Edwin Barker of pieces from Koussevitzky’s landmark 1929 Boston recital.
This event would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of the Pierce Performance Series Committee: Anita Lincoln (Chair), Peter Brown, Peter Drummey, Margo Newman Levine, Joan Patton, Lisa Rafferty, and Tom Wolf. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our organizational partners, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, including Amy Aldrich, Bridget Carr, Rena Cohen, Catherine Cooper, Jan Devereux, Christina Dioguardi, Matthew Erikson, Joseph Kamay, Robert Kirzinger, Mark Rulison, Emily Siders, Alex Speir, and Eric Valliere; the Boston Public Library, including President David Leonard, Athena Adams, Amanda Andrews, Robert Cunningham, Trish Dowdall, Mary French, Jay Hamilton, Christopher Letizia, Beth Prindle, Jared Rex, Calder Sell, Deandra Williams, Facilities, and Security; and The Catered Affair for their assistance with this event.
For those who missed it, we’re pleased to share a recording of the event: Watch here.
About the Associates' Pierce Performance Series
The Associates' Pierce Performance Series seeks to raise the visibility of the Boston Public Library’s Special Collections through free public performances and lectures. Thanks to the generosity of the Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust, this series has commemorated the hundredth anniversary of the Peace Jubilee, explored abolitionists' vital messages, celebrated women's suffrage, and explored the life of Thomas Paine and Phillis Wheatley Peters.
All photos were taken by Nile Hawver.