Koussevitzky live mail

A fascinating topic!

Serge Koussevitzky (1874-1951) was a Russian-born conductor and cellist who was music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) from 1924 to 1949. During his tenure, he was known for his passionate and expressive conducting style, as well as his commitment to commissioning and premiering new works by contemporary composers.

Koussevitzky's "Live Mail" refers to a series of correspondence courses he established in the 1930s, where he would send handwritten notes and critiques to young conductors and musicians who were seeking guidance and feedback on their performances. These notes were often brief, but packed with insightful comments and suggestions for improvement.

The "Live Mail" program was an innovative approach to music education, as it allowed Koussevitzky to reach a wider audience and provide personalized feedback to aspiring musicians. The program was popular among young conductors, and many notable musicians, including Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa, benefited from Koussevitzky's guidance through the "Live Mail" program.

Today, the Koussevitzky Society, a non-profit organization, continues to promote Koussevitzky's legacy and provides educational resources and opportunities to young musicians. The society also maintains an archive of Koussevitzky's correspondence, including the "Live Mail" notes, which are a valuable resource for music historians and scholars.