A TRULY EXTRAORDINARY GIFT BY ALLISON BURR-LIVINGSTONE
The Marshall and Sarellen Levine Associate Principal Cello Chair
Before Lachezar could even answer , “ How is Marshall as a student ?” Marshall jumped in quickly , “ Please have it noted that Mr . Kostov refused to answer the question ,” and the room broke out in laughter .
For three years , BSO Associate Principal Cello Lachezar Kostov has been coming to the Levine home to give Marshall private lessons . “ We work on everything that one would expect — bowing , posture , intonation , but we also try to understand the deeper meaning of notes ,” Lachezar said when he finally had the chance to answer the question .
For the Levines , their friendship with Lachezar is the latest evolution of a deeply personal connection to music and the BSO .
“ My mother played the violin from childhood and participated in community orchestras and chamber groups her entire life . Her favorite was led by Dr . Antonia Brico , who was denied leadership positions because of her gender ,” recounted Marshall . With his family ’ s musical roots , it was not surprising that at age seven he started cello lessons and continued playing through high school . " Music had a profound affect on me — playing the cello taught me fractions , discipline , and persistence ," commented Marshall . “ Our society encourages sports activities to learn teamwork . Playing in an orchestra or choral group accomplishes the same goal .” He purchased the cello he plays on today after he graduated from medical school — Sarellen recently found the original bill of sale .
When they met , both were independently subscribers of the BSO , but Sarellen ’ s real love was Bob Dylan . “ I had second-row center tickets to his concert — Marshall lived upstairs , and I invited him to go ,” said Sarellen . “ In some ways , if Marshall introduced me to classical music , then I introduced him to rock and roll .” The couple
LACHEZAR KOSTOV ( left ) has appeared as a soloist in some of the world ' s leading concert venues such as Carnegie Hall , The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts , Gewandhaus in Leipzig , and Oji Hall in Tokyo and was the National Winner at the 2006 MTNA Young Artists Competition .
Lachezar is also an avid single-malt Scotch whisky collector ; an aspiring runner , conductor , and pianist ; and a passionate pickleball player .
To learn more about Lachezar , visit BSOmusic . org / Musicians .
married a year later . After returning to Baltimore after Marshall ’ s medical residency in 1977 , Sarellen jokes that the first thing they did was call the box office to secure their Thursday evening subscription . They became regular attendees , soon thereafter donors , and eventually , volunteer leaders in the Baltimore Symphony Associates and on the Board .
When asked why this gift , Marshall said , “ We feel like we are an integral part of the BSO . It is something we have always aspired to do , but we didn ’ t have the personal connection with someone like Lachezar . We also hope that our investment will encourage others to do likewise .”
For Lachezar , his personal relationship with the Levines makes this gift even more meaningful . “ It is the ultimate honor . And being friends with the people who are endowing my chair is really a tremendous personal privilege . This historic act is such an emotional and humbling moment for me , and it really propels the BSO forward .”
JAN-FEB 2022 / OVERTURE 17