The Classical Beat: Prepare for a Feast of Musical Offerings
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Those in the know are preparing for the annual explosion of musical offerings throughout the Berkshires and the region. We lucky "clef-dwellers" live in an area that is a well-known mecca for classical music lovers. With the arrival of the summer tourist high season – from mid-June through Labor Day – concert activity thrives, offering listeners a diversity of musical delights sure to please every taste.
To whet your musical appetite, here's a capsule description of three local stellar venues – a cursory who, what, where and when of each. You may have some tough choices – there are so many. One thing is certain: whatever event you attend. you will be amply musically rewarded – and then some!
Tanglewood Music Festival
For many music lovers, Tanglewood in Lenox virtually defines music in the Berkshires. It is the largest summer presenter, with the most comprehensive schedule of performances across the full spectrum of musical styles and genres. Before getting into imminent opening events, bookmark the Boston Symphony's website, tanglewood.org for the full summer concert schedule, season highlights, tickets and general information.
Tanglewood, a multi-venue site, is among the world's grandest outdoors summer music festivals and is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Throughout their two-month festival season, Tanglewood hosts visiting world-class composers, solo and ensemble performers and guest mentors and lecturers. Beginning Wednesday, June 28, the Festival will present a wide range of programs that spotlight favorite returning and guest artists and repertoire, while also introducing dynamic new artists and diverse programming.
Events over the next two weeks leading up to the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Opening Night spotlight well-known popular artists and visiting ensembles, as well as the first summer events of the Tanglewood Music Center and Tanglewood Learning Institute.
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An exciting holiday weekend lineup of Elvis Costello and The Imposters (7/1), Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (7/2), and James Taylor (7/3 & 7/4, sold out)
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The Tanglewood debuts of popular artists Robert Plant, and JD McPherson (with Plant and Alison Krauss on 7/2), as well as composer and multimedia artist Pamela Z (7/9)
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The last chance to see the Emerson String Quartet perform at Tanglewood with pianist Emanuel Ax and a BSO co-commission by Sarah Kirkland Snider, "Drink the Wild Ayre" (6/28)
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The world premieres of compositions by TMC alumni David Evans (7/2), David Roche (7/8), and Peter Shin (7/9)
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A TLI In Conversation with Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart (7/6)
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Emmy winner Dr. Angela M. Farr Schiller on the social themes in Ragtime at TLI (7/7), followed by a performance by tenor Nicholas Phan and TMC Fellows (7/8)
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Friday, July 7, Music Director Andris Nelsons leads the BSO in the opening concert of its season with music by Wynton Marsalis and Tchaikovsky. In addition, the internationally acclaimed pianist Daniil Trifonov is the soloist in a performance of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3.
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Saturday evening, July 8, Keith Lockhart leads the Boston Pops Orchestra in "Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert." A cast of Broadway talents performs in this semi-staged production, which was adapted for the Pops.
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Sunday afternoon, July 9, Maestro Nelsons and the BSO present the world premiere of "Zhiân," a BSO commission by Iranian-Canadian composer Iman Habibi, and "Freedom Sings," a BSO co-commission by JessieMontgomery, with classical singer Julia Bullock in her Tanglewood debut. Hilary Hahn appears as the soloist in a performance of Brahms' Violin Concerto.
Why go? It's all about the magnitude and the phenomenal diversity of programming. Attend simply to experience the best in chamber and symphonic music. Whether you enjoy the pristine lawns for bring-your-own picnics, or prefer the proximity to gifted musicians in the Shed, in Ozawa Hall or in the beautifully designed and acoustic marvels that are the several new Tanglewood Learning Center (TLI) performance and lecture spaces, Tanglewood, in all its incarnations is an informal, yet breathtaking place to relax and enjoy music in the most bucolic setting imaginable. For tickets to all Tanglewood events, call (888) 266-1200, or go online at tanglewood.org.
Look for weekly "Classical Beat" previews and recommended concert and related events programming at Tanglewood throughout July and August. For tickets for all Tanglewood/BSO concerts (lawn and Shed seating) and for special events call (617) 266-1200. TDD/TTY: (617) 638-9289. Online: tanglewood.org.
Taconic Music Summer Festival
With three remaining weeks of great programs offered by this exhilarating music festival, be sure to schedule Taconic Music ("Where Music Meets Life,") on your ‘not-to-be-missed' concert agenda.
Based in Manchester, Vermont, co-founders/Directors Ariel Rudiakov and Joana Genova showcase their outstanding Festival teaching/performing artists and their students-in-residence. These amazingly inventive and brilliantly talented co-Directors consistently present repertoire and thematic programming that will exceed your highest expectations.
"Taconic Music is always moving forward, honoring the great works created in the past while keeping our fingers on the pulse of the now and looking toward to what may be next. We continue to train the next generation of student musicians and work with up-and-coming composers, explore genre-bending styles, and unrelentingly seek out the very best
works by composers from all walks of life."
For specific repertoire listings and other information, including tickets, and Taconic Music's year-round programs, call (802) 362-7162 or visit online at taconicmusic.org.
Sevenars Music Festival
Founded in 1968, Sevenars Concerts, Inc. is showcasing its 55th anniversary season of six summer concerts, held at the Academy in the historic village of South Worthington, Mass, located at 15 Ireland Street, just off MA Route 112. Phone: (413) 238-5854 (Leave return call phone number). Web: www.sevenars.com. Admission by donation (suggested
$20.) Free refreshments will be available.
- Sunday, July 9, 4:00 p.m.: Opening Concert of Sevenars Music Festival 55th anniversary season - piano, cello, duos, solos, including two US premieres! Schrade and James Musicians play piano and cello solos and duos by Debussy, Lalo, Milhaud, Rachmaninoff, Rorem, Sibelius, and selections from "Amazing Africa" by Sören Sieg!
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