Beethoven Festivals at the BSO
Beethoven has a long history of celebration at the BSO. The early seasons frequently included performances of all nine symphonies, and Music Director Serge Koussevitzky organized several festivals highlighting the composer's works. The BSO also celebrated Beethoven's 200th birthday in 1970.
Bust of composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
The Early Years: Henschel to Paur
Postcard depicting an early view of Symphony Hall as well as the first four BSO conductors
The early seasons of the BSO frequently featured performances of all nine Beethoven symphonies scattered throughout the entire season. Georg Henschel (1881-1884) conducted all 9 symphonies each of the three seasons of his tenure; William Gericke (1884-1889; 1898-1906) conducted all 9 symphonies every two seasons during his first tenure; Arthur Nikisch (1889-1893) conducted 6 or 7 of the 9 symphonies per season, achieving all 9 symphonies by the end of his four-year tenure; and Emil Paur (1893-1898) performed fewer symphonies per season, but started programming the 9th symphony more frequently without the last movement and required chorus.
Announcement advertising need for volunteer chorus to perform Beethoven’s 9th Symphony during the BSO’s inaugural season (1881-1882)
Concert program showing only three movements of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on the program
Emil Paur frequently programmed the 9th Symphony without the final movement, which eliminated the need to assemble a chorus.
Koussevitzky's Many Festivals
Photographic spread announcing the BSO’s upcoming Beethoven Festival celebrating the 100th anniversary of Beethoven’s death (Boston Herald, March 13, 1927)
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Beethoven’s death in 1827, Serge Koussevitzky organized a festival that would showcase all nine symphonies (whose opening measures are depicted here against the portrait of the orchestra), the Missa Solemnis, and selected chamber works. The orchestra would employ the assistance of the Harvard-Radcliffe choruses, as well as eight soloists.
Program book for Beethoven Festival in December 1930 held in Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C.
Featuring the composer’s odd-numbered symphonies, several overtures, the violin concerto and the 4th and 5th piano concertos, Serge Koussevitzky and the BSO celebrated the 160th birthday of Beethoven in our nation’s capital city. Myra Hess (piano), Efram Zimbalist (violin), Josef Hofmann (piano) assisted in the concertos. Soloists Jeanette Vreeland (soprano), Nevada Van Der Veer (contralto), Dan Gridley (tenor), Fraser Gange (bass), and a chorus from the National Capital Oratorio Association assisted with the 9th Symphony.
Newspaper clipping for Beethoven Festival in December 1930 held in Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C.
Soloist Myra Hess (depicted here) assisted conductor Serge Koussevitzky and the BSO in a performance of Beethoven's 4th Piano Concerto.
Program book for 1947 Beethoven Festival at Tanglewood
Serge Koussevitzky organized a third Beethoven festival during his tenure with the BSO, featuring all 9 symphonies and the 4th and 5th piano concertos in the Berkshires.
Soloists Frances Yeend (soprano), Eunice Alberts (alto), David Lloyd (tenor), and James Pease (bass) after a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the BSO on August 5, 1947
Their performance was part of a Beethoven Festival at Tanglewood that included all 9 of Beethoven’s symphonies.
Photograph by Gene Mitchell (Mitchell Photo)
Beethoven at 200 in 1970
In April 1970, the BSO organized a Festival that featured all five piano concertos, the violin concerto, the choral fantasy, and three symphonies. Although William Steinberg had been scheduled to conduct the festival, his health prevented him, and Leonard Bernstein and Max Rudolf stepped in to conduct in his place.
