The Guardian

By Pseudora Cunningham

Symphony Hall - home of the world-famous Boston Symphony Orchestra, now celebrating its seventy fifth anniversary, is a building devoted primarily to nurturing the art of music. The structure erected in 1900 at the bidding of Henry Lee Higginson was the first concert hall in the world built in acoustical conformity. There are two balconies and a main floor with wide corridors, foyers and lounges. Famous statues adorn the several niches to camouflage acoustical apparatus. The seating capacity of 2,631 is often taxed with crowds overflowing onto the stage which can accommodate 200. Sir George Henschel was the Orchestra's first conductor and Charles Munch is its twelfth. In addition to the Orchestra's library, business offices and reception rooms, the Hall houses the Museum of Ancient Instruments. The 144 pieces in this collection were assembled by Henri Casadesus, father of the famous pianist Robert who presented them to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Symphony Hall which fronts on Huntington Avenue is graced with eight Ionic Greek columns, and is bounded by Massachusetts and Westland Avenues. The first Symphony concert of the season will be given September 30, October 1, at which time Mr. Munch will conduct the Beethoven "The Consecration of the House" and Haydn's Symphony No. 102, the same program conducted by Sir Henschel in 1881. The remainder of the season will feature the music of Mozart and the fifteen commissioned works of European and American composers.