Lou Steigler Steps Down After 42 Years Leading South Mountain Concerts

Pittsfield — After more than four decades of dedicated service, Lou Steigler will retire as the director of South Mountain Concerts at the conclusion of the 2025 season. Steigler has been instrumental in transforming the concert series, which he began leading in 1987, into one of the most esteemed venues for chamber music in the United States. Under his guidance, South Mountain has attracted some of the world’s leading musicians and cultivated a loyal audience.

Beginning in January 2026, David Finckel and Wu Han will take over as artistic co-directors. They expressed their gratitude in a joint statement, saying, “We are deeply honored to have been selected to preserve and carry forward the legacy of South Mountain Concerts.” The duo noted their history with the series, having performed there more than sixty times, and pledged to maintain the high standards that audiences have come to expect.

Founded in 1918 by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, a key figure in American classical music, South Mountain Concerts has long been a fixture in the cultural landscape. Originally known as the Berkshire Festival of Chamber Music, the series was inspired by a summer festival in Blue Hill, Maine. Coolidge appointed Dutch-born cellist Willem Willeke as its first director, setting a high artistic benchmark that has continued through the decades.

Willeke directed the festival until his passing in 1950, after which his wife, Sally Willeke, took over. When Steigler assumed leadership in 1987, he revitalized the concert series, enhancing its reputation for artistic excellence and fostering a dedicated following.

The concert hall, built in 1918 from timber sourced from a dismantled textile mill, is known as “The Temple of Chamber Music.” It features exceptional acoustics and is included on the National Register of Historic Places. The hall offers an intimate experience, with audience members seated on antique church pews.

Throughout its history, South Mountain Concerts has hosted distinguished artists, including Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Leontyne Price, and Rudolf Serkin. Pianist Menahem Pressler debuted at the venue in 1955 and returned over fifty times, while renowned string quartets such as the American, Borromeo, and Juilliard quartets have frequently graced the stage.

The series is not only a platform for established artists but also a supporter of emerging talent, awarding scholarships to young musicians from Berkshire County. In recognition of its contributions to chamber music, South Mountain Concerts received the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Award for Extraordinary Service to Chamber Music in 2016, presented to Steigler at Alice Tully Hall in New York City.

Finckel and Wu Han, who have served as the founders and artistic co-directors of Music@Menlo since 2003, bring a wealth of experience to their new roles. Their influence extends to prominent positions at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, where they have played a vital role in shaping the chamber music landscape through performance, education, and mentorship. Recognized as Musical America’s Musicians of the Year, the duo has produced over 150 recordings and has performed globally, further enriching the chamber music repertoire.

As South Mountain Concerts prepares to embark on this new chapter, the commitment to artistic excellence and the nurturing of future generations of musicians remains at the forefront of its mission. The transition of leadership from Steigler to Finckel and Han marks a significant moment in the history of this cherished concert series, ensuring its legacy will continue to thrive for years to come.