Boston Visits Moscow

Extract

The Boston Symphony Orchestra under Charles Münch and Pierre Monteux, now celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary, included what can only be called a triumphant visit to the Soviet Union during their recent European tour. They went at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture, and the orchestra and its management had therefore the standing of official guests. From the first rather overwhelming welcome on the tarmac at Leningrad it was clear that no effort would be spared to make the visit a success. The hotels were provided by the Government and we had our own restaurants, where four enormous meals were served each day. Never less than five interpreters were available both for official business and for the well-arranged sightseeing tours of which everyone took full advantage, and throughout we were conscious of a feeling of immense goodwill, official and unofficial, on all sides.