- It was Koussevitsky who commissioned French composer Maurice Ravel, in 1922, to orchestrate Modest Mussorgsky's piano work "Pictures At An Exhibition". Koussevitzky made the first recording of the Ravel orchestration of "Pictures" with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The Ravel-orchestrated "Pictures at an Exhibition" became the single most famous orchestral version of a work originally composed for a solo instrument, and the fame of his version has surpassed several other orchestrations of it, including Leopold Stokowski's. After Koussevitzky's death, it was recorded by practically every famous conductor and orchestra, and has become a standard work in the repertoire of symphony orchestras all over the world.
- With the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Koussevitzsky made the first recording of Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring", in 1945.
- With the Boston Symphony Orchestra, he premiered the "Appalachian Spring" suite for full orchestra (as opposed to the complete ballet, which is scored for just thirteen instruments). The premiere of the suite took place in May, 1945.
- Among his pupils was Leonard Bernstein, who has credited Koussevitzky with having the greatest influence on him as a conductor.
- Koussevitzsky also premiered Aaron Copland's "El Salón Mexico".
- He founded the Tanglewood Music Festival, which is still held to this day.
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