Boston S.O., Feature for DLR

The Boston Symphony Orchestra owes its existence to a mayor. Lee Higgins founded it in 1881 because he wanted to upgrade his city to a cultural center. The orchestra is among the oldest in the country. Its rich tradition makes it, along with the orchestras in Cleveland, Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, one of the so-called "top five." With an annual budget of 50 million dollars, it can also boast of being the richest American orchestra. Yet, one thing is conspicuous. The orchestra, which is a flagship of American musicmaking, has never had an American music director in its entire 115-year history. For decades, the principal conductors were European, and in 1973, Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa took the orchestra under his baton. The other "top five" orchestras have imported music directors as well, but the persistent choice of foreign conductors in Boston may partially have to do with the character of the city. Boston, which is one of the oldest cities in America, has always had a European character. Georg Hirsch visited the Boston Symphony Orchestra and spoke with Music Director Seiji Ozawa.

[ Home - English ] [ Home - Deutsch ]