Music of the Berkshires
Well, WAMC’ers, even though the dog days of August are upon us, it doesn’t mean we can’t have some outdoor fun. We have nine more live Tanglewood broadcasts, and they are not to be missed.
Personally, when I can’t make it to Lenox, MA -- which is something that should be done at least once a summer -- I love to have the broadcast on at home and prepare an outdoor picnic for my sweetie and I. Of course, the cat and dog join us, too. Below you’ll find some of the highlights for the rest of the season.
On Saturday, Aug 1 at 8:30PM, the amazing pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet will take to the stage with a Beethoven and Shostakovich program. Now if you haven’t heard Thibaudet play, Google him, people! You’ll be so enchanted, the next thing you know your playlist will be filled with his work. Then to make it a double-whammy, the Sunday 2:30PM concert features the incomparable Yo-Yo Ma. I know many of you will be there in person thanks to the Fund Drive, and will enjoy the Haydn, Dean and Strauss selections throughout the afternoon.
We have the perennial Tanglewood on Parade performance on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 8PM. It’s starting a half-hour early and we will have a pre-show with interviews. This performance will feature conductors StéphaneDenève, Keith Lockhart, and Andris Nelson appearing together. Always a highlight of the season, the day includes a wealth of afternoon activities and ends with the traditional finale, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with fireworks.
A week later, on Saturday, August 8th is The Leonard Bernstein Memorial Concert. Conducted by Andris Nelsons, the show will feature several singers and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
The closing of the Tanglewood season is on Sunday, August 16th. Julianna Di Giacomo, Renee Tatum, Paul Groves and John Relyea, along with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus will be performing Copland’s Symphonic Ode, and Beethoven’s Symphony No.9.
So folks, it’s a season not to be missed, whether you’re there in the Berkshires or enjoying the concerts at home. Join me in raising a glass to the amazing Boston Symphony Orchestra, the guest performers, and the conductors every Friday and Saturday night at 8:30PM, and Sundays at 2:30PM.