Koussevitsky as Supporter of Emerging Talent
Serge Koussevitzky collaborated with many artists early in their careers. Three of these younger artists—pianist Jesús María Sanromá, violinist Ruth Posselt, and soprano Dorothy Maynor—are featured here.
From left to right: Jesús María Sanromá (photograph by J. Abrisch), Ruth Posselt (photographer unknown), and Dorothy Maynor (photographer unknown)
Jesús María Sanromá (1902-1984), piano
Portrait of Jesús María Sanromá playing the piano
Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico in 1902, Jesús María Sanromá’s musical education was initially self-taught or from family members. When he was around 10, he became enamored with a broken piano his father had brought home to repair. Even a piano lock couldn’t keep the boy from trying to play the instrument, and his father finally paid for music lessons. Sanromá received a scholarship from the Puerto Rican government and studied at New England Conservatory from 1917-1920. His inaugural solo appearances with the Pops and the BSO took place in 1923 and 1924, respectively. The following year, he became the first pianist to appear on the BSO’s orchestra roster during the 1925-1926 season.
Photograph by J. Abrisch
Program book for the BSO’s American premiere performance of Stravinsky’s Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra, December 19 and 20, 1930, featuring Jesús María Sanromá as piano soloist and Serge Koussevitzky as conductor
Sanromá and Koussevitzky would go on to record this same piece together for RCA Victor a decade later, on March 19, 1940. They also took the work on tour on multiple occasions. In total, the two would perform Stravinsky’s Capriccio over twenty times in twelve cities.
Photographs of pianist Jesús María Sanromá with Serge Koussevitzky, from biography by Alberto Hernández
These informal photos were taken by the pianist's brother John B. Sanromá. Hired as the BSO’s first pianist on the roster during Koussevitzky’s second season, the two artists would perform over 90 concerts together over the course of two decades.
Photographs by John B. Sanromá, Boston Public Library
Listen: Excerpt of Sanromá playing the third movement of Stravinsky's Capricco for Piano and Orchestra with Serge Koussevitzky and the BSO on March 19, 1940 (CD GEMM 9020)
Ruth Posselt (1911-2007), violin
American violin soloist Ruth Posselt with husband Richard Burgin
Ruth Posselt married BSO concertmaster Richard Burgin in 1940. He was also the BSO's assistant conductor (and starting in 1943, associate conductor). Of Posselt's more than 70 appearances with the BSO, 21 of these were under the baton of her husband.
Photograph by Will Plouffe
American violin soloist Ruth Posselt with Serge Koussevitzky, August 2, 1942
In 1938, Koussevitzky called Ruth Posselt “one of the three greatest violinists playing today,” along with Heifetz and Menuhin. She appeared more than 70 times with the BSO, 25 times under the direction of Serge Koussevitsky.
Photographer unknown
Newspaper review of Ruth Posselt’s first performance with the BSO on March 25, 1935
Medford-born Ruth Posselt made her debut with the Boston Symphony at the age of 23. Although the performance was five years before Posselt would marry BSO concertmaster Richard Burgin, the critics nevertheless noticed that he assisted her with the removal of a stray bowstring during the performance, perhaps anticipating their romance to come.
Post, March 26, 1935
Newspaper review of Ruth Posselt’s first performance with the BSO on March 25, 1935
Transcript, March 26, 1935
Listen: Excerpt of Posselt playing the third movement of Hill's Concerto for Violin with Serge Koussevitzky and the BSO on November 11, 1938 (CD WHRA 6016)
Dorothy Maynor (1910-1996), soprano
Letter from Dorothy Maynor to Serge Koussevitzky, dated August 14, 1936[9]
In this two-page letter, Maynor expresses her deep felt gratitude to “My dear Dr. Koussevitzky.” This letter is possibly misdated as the earliest known meeting between Serge Koussevitzky and Dorothy Maynor occurred during the summer of 1939 when she attended concerts at the Berkshire Music Festival.
Koussevitzky Collection, Library of Congress, reproduction
Newspaper article covering soprano Dorothy Maynor’s appearance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in August 1940
Newspaper articles covering soprano Dorothy Maynor’s appearance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in August 1940
The 1939-1940 season was an eventful year for Maynor. In addition to six appearances with the BSO in Boston, Rhode Island, New York and Tanglewood, she also gave two recitals in New York (November 1939 and February 1940) and appeared with the New York Philharmonic in January 1940.
Newspaper articles covering soprano Dorothy Maynor’s appearance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in August 1940