Since the founding of Tanglewood in 1940 by Serge Koussevitzky, the BSO’s long-time music director and conductor, the Berkshires and Koussevitzky have become synonymous with world-class classical music. 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of Koussevitzky’s birth and the West Stockbridge Historical Society has an opportunity to participate in the celebration of this occasion and in doing so make some history itself.

Susan Hagen, principal bassist of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and first alternate bassist for both the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra 150th anniversary during the spring of 2024. Susan, along with renowned British bassist David Heyes, has curated a program of music expressly commissioned for the occasion. In addition to the newly commissioned compositions, their program will also include several pieces for bass by composers such as Giovanni Bottesini. Accompanying the two bassists will be pianist Rebecca Plummer and acclaimed soprano Sarah Poole.