Koussevitzky is principally remembered as a conductor. He started his career as a double bass virtuoso, but after the Russian revolution he established himself in the United States of America, where he followed Pierre Monteux as conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1924, retaining his position with the orchestra until shortly before his death. He was of significant help to contemporary composers, not least through the Koussevitzky Music Foundation, established in memory of his wife.

Music for Double Bass

Koussevitzky’s Double Bass Concerto, an important addition to a small repertoire, was written in 1905 with the help of Reinhold Glière. He also composed other short pieces for the instrument.