The Classical Beat: Tanglewood and Sevenars are Not to be Missed

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This week, as Tanglewood enters its sixth week of classical programming, the two large-scale orchestral works to be performed by the Tanglewood Music Festival Orchestra are 20th century classics - each at the polar opposite of the stylistic spectrum: Béla Bartók’s bold and powerful Suite from "The Miraculous Mandarin" and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s melodically luxuriant Symphony No. 2. Both are audience favorites. Adding to the mix in the chamber music sphere are an evening – the first of four – of a traversal of the complete piano works of Johannes Brahms by the stellar
Garrick Ohlsson - and program three of "Pathways from Prague," featuring
the luminous pianist Emanuel Ax, in partnership with a trio of his brilliant
string colleagues.
 
That’s not all: Tanglewood’s programming in its three fabulous venues presents additional and diversely elucidating musical rewards. See below for the details, covering the period from August 10-16.
 
  • Programs in the Koussevitzky Music Shed

 

• Friday, August 12, 8:00 p.m.: The third "Pathways from Prague" chamber music program, curated by pianist Emanuel Ax, features Mr. Ax, violinist Leonidas Kavakos, violist Antoine Tamestit, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma in music by Janá?ek, Dvo?ák (including the melodious Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat), and Kaprálová ("Two Ritournelles" for cello and piano, Op. 25.)
 
• Saturday, August 13, 8:00 p.m.: The brilliant violinist Leonidas Kavakos is the soloist in Mendelssohn beloved Violin Concerto, on a program including the great 20th century French composer Henri Dutilleux "Métaboles," Claude Debussy breathtaking "Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun," and Maurice Ravel charming fairytale-inspired "Mother Goose" ballet (complete), led by conductor Dima Slobodeniouk.
 
• Sunday, August 14, 2:30 p.m.: Perennial Tanglewood favorite Yo-Yo Ma performs Edward Elgar’s rapturous Cello Concerto on a program with Anna Clyne "Masquerade," Debussy overwhelming "La Mer," and Georges Enescu popular, folk dance-inspired "Romanian Rhapsody No. 1," led by conductor Cristian M?celaru, who, with this program will be
making his BSO debut.
 
• Sunday, August 14, 8:00 p.m.: The Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, led by maestro Stefan Asbury and TMC conducting Fellows will perform Béla Bartók’s Suite from "The Miraculous Mandarin," Florence Price’s (1887-1953) "Ethiopia’s Shadow in America" and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.
 
  • Programs in Ozawa Hall
 
• Thursday, August 11, 2:00-3:30 p.m.: TLI Open Cello Workshop with Yo-Yo Ma.
 
• Tuesday, August 16, 8:00 p.m.: Garrick Ohlsson surveys Brahms' complete piano works with four recitals; this first program includes mostly piano variations, including the virtuosic "Variations on a Theme of Paganini," Op. 35.
 
  • Program in The Linde Center
• Thursday, August 11, 1:00-2:00 p.m.: TLI In Conversation with
pianist Emanuel Ax and host Asadour Santourian at Studio E.
For tickets for these and for all Tanglewood/BSO concerts (lawn and Shed
seating) and for special events call (617) 266-1200 or 888-266-1200.
Online: tanglewood.org.
 
  • Sevenars Music Festival
Founded in 1968, Sevenars Concerts, Inc. is showcasing its 54th anniversary season of six summer concerts, held at the Academy in the historic village of South Worthington, MA, located at 15 Ireland Street, just off MA Route 112.
 
• Sunday, August 14, 4:00 p.m.: For a totally fun season Festival finale, head to the country – specifically South Worthington, Mass., for a great time with Sevenars’ longtime friends – the Bob Sparkman Trio. Wrapping up their summer season, the Music Festival concludes with this ensemble - friends of Sevenars over many years - offering a joyous jazz program for your musical delectation.
 
For Sevenars tickets, and general contact information, call: (413) 238-5854 (please leave a message for return call). On the Web:  www.sevenars.org . Email: Sevenars@aol.com . Admission is by donation at the door (suggested $20). Refreshments are included.

Tags: Sevenars,   Tanglewood,   The Classical Beat,   

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Neal's Office Among Those Targeted by Suspicious Mailings

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was among congressmen apparently targeted by someone mailing suspicious envelopes. 
 
According to a report in The Berkshire Eagle, an envelope containing a powdery substance was discovered by postal inspectors before reaching Neal's Pittsfield office in the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building.
 
Nearly 40 members of Congress have received envelopes containing white powder, according to The Guardian. More than 100 letters are thought to be in the U.S. mail system and the FBI, Capitol Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service were investigating the mailings that have also been sent to elections officials in various states. 
 
The mailings have been sent to both Republican and Democrat officeholders and several congressional district offices had to be evacuated in the last week or so after envelopes were opened in them. 
 

Earlier today, my Bronx district office received an envelope delivered by mail that contained a suspicious substance. Local law enforcement responded swiftly and, after investigating, determined the substance to be non-hazardous.

— Rep. Ritchie Torres (@repritchie.bsky.social) October 16, 2026 at 3:10 PM
The Guardian reported that the FBI is warning officials to look for envelopes processed through a north Texas center and that carry a postmark or stamp stating "Thinking of You."
 
The Eagle states that Neal's office was alerted on Saturday that it might be getting a suspicious package; inspectors seized the envelope at the Fenn Street post office on Monday.
 
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