BSO Concertmasters Since 1920
Richard Burgin’s arrival in 1920 marked the beginning of the second and considerably more stable era in the history of BSO concertmasters, with only four concertmasters appointed over the next 104 years. Burgin, in his 42 years, came to define the position, acting as intermediary between the orchestra and the conductors, translating for the Russian-speaking Koussevitzky, leading the string section to greater heights, and performing 77 solos by 13 different composers. He also conducted the orchestra on numerous occasions, to great acclaim. His successor, Joseph Silverstein, was handpicked as concertmaster by incoming Music Director Erich Leinsdorf. He quickly made a name for himself as co-founder of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players in 1962 and by giving the American premiere of Schoenberg’s Violin Concerto in 1965. Malcolm Lowe, during his 35-year tenure, was a passionate teacher, with positions at multiple Boston institutions. Appointed in 2024 after a five-year vacancy, Nathan Cole is poised to usher the orchestra into the next century of concertmasters.
Pen and gouache sketch of a BSO violinist
By Donald Greason, 1939
Violin bow by J.B. Vuillaume of Paris, ca. 1859
Richard Burgin (1920-1962)
Richard Burgin (BSO concertmaster, 1920-1962)
One of America’s longest-tenured concertmasters, Burgin was born in Warsaw in 1892 and served as concertmaster with the Helsingfors and Oslo symphony orchestras before arriving in Boston. Working with Pierre Monteux, Serge Koussevitzky, and Charles Munch, he came to define the concertmaster position for countless BSO concertgoers. He participated in more than 250 U.S. and world premiere performances as concertmaster, soloist, or conductor, conducting the premiere of Roy Harris’ Symphony No. 2 (1936) and as violin soloist in the premiere of Hindemith’s Concerto for Violin (1940).
Photographer unknown
BSO concertmaster Richard Burgin, conducting
In addition to his role as concertmaster, Richard Burgin also served as the BSO’s first assistant conductor. He was named assistant conductor in 1934 and associate conductor in 1943.
Photographer unknown
Joseph Silverstein (1962-1984)
Joseph Silverstein, (BSO violinist, 1955-1962; BSO concertmaster, 1962-1984)
Born in Detroit in 1932, Silverstein’s early teachers were his father Bernard (a former student of Franz Kneisel) and Efrem Zimbalist at the Curtis Institute of Music. He later studied with Joseph Gingold and Mischa Mischakoff. Initially hired as a section violinist for the BSO, Silverstein moved his way up from the last chair of the second violins to the third stand of the first violins between 1955 and 1962, when he was chosen by Erich Leinsdorf to be concertmaster.
Photographer unknown
Joseph Silverstein, conducting
Following in his predecessor Richard Burgin’s footsteps, Silverstein also served as assistant conductor (from 1971-1984) in addition to his concertmaster duties.
Photograph by Walter Scott
Boston Symphony Chamber Players with guest pianist Claude Frank, circa 1965
Founded in 1964, the Boston Symphony Chamber Players is comprised of the first desk players from each section of the orchestra, including the concertmaster. From left to right: Joseph Silverstein (violin), James Stagliano (horn), Burton Fine (viola), Doriot Anthony Dwyer (flute), Ralph Gomberg (oboe), Sherman Walt (bassoon), Gino Cioffi (clarinet), Jules Eskin (cello), and Claude Frank (piano)
Photographer unknown
Malcolm Lowe (1984-2019)
Malcolm Lowe (BSO concertmaster, 1984-2019)
The Canadian born violinist attended the Regina Conservatory of Music in Saskatchewan. He continued his musical studies at the Meadowmount School of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music where his teachers included Ivan Galamian, Sally Thomas, and Jaime Laredo. Prior to his appointment in Boston, he served as concertmaster for the Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec. Lowe never served in any conductor roles with the BSO, but he was a passionate teacher during his tenure, serving on the faculty at Boston University and involved with the New England Conservatory, and the Tanglewood Music Center.
Photograph by Michael Lutch
BSO concertmaster Malcolm Lowe performs Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with conductor Trevor Pinnock and the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood on August 3, 1996
Photograph by Walter Scott
Nathan Cole (2024-present)
Nathan Cole (BSO concertmaster, 2024-present)
Nathan Cole is only the fourth concertmaster to be appointed in the last 104 years. Cole had been first associate concertmaster with the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 2011 and previously was a member of the Chicago Symphony and principal second violin of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Photograph by Todd Rosenberg
Nathan Cole and Andris Nelsons after Cole's first rehearsal with the BSO, July 11, 2024
Nathan Cole’s first solo with the BSO in his new role as concertmaster was the violin solo in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade on July 12, 2024 at Tanglewood.
Photograph by Hilary Scott