The Classical Beat: At Summer's Apex, Great Music at Tanglewood

by Stephen DanknerPrint Story | Email Story
Come mid-to-late August, classical aficionados are grateful for the cornucopia of musical riches the Boston Symphony bestows to rapt audiences within the incomparably bucolic setting that is Tanglewood. Many of those superlative concerts will reside in our collective memory.
 
During this penultimate week of the Tanglewood Festival, the spotlight will focus on a range of classical and popular fare in varied genres: from the complete piano works of Brahms performed by the magnificent pianist Garrick Ohlsson, and the return of the beloved violinist Itzhak Perlman, to a celebratory full evening of music by the masterful composer John Williams, and a remembrance of the glories of Broadway giant Stephen Sondheim. It will be a week full of musical riches on many levels. Read on for the details, covering the period Aug. 17 to 23.
 
  • Programs in the Koussevitzky Music Shed

• Friday, August 19, 8:00 p.m.: Maestro Keith Lockhart, the Boston Pops, and a stellar cast of Broadway vocalists—Nikki Renée Daniels, Conrad Ricamora, Emily Skinner, and Alton Fitzgerald White— perform in "Remembering Stephen
Sondheim," a special concert dedicated to the brilliant composer and lyricist who passed away last year; the program includes songs from Sondheim's shows: "Follies," "Company," "A Little Night Music," "Sweeney Todd," "Sunday in the Park with George," and "Into the Woods."
 
• Saturday, August 20, 8:00 p.m.: Tanglewood presents "John Williams—The Tanglewood 90th Birthday Celebration," a festive salute to the beloved film composer and Pops Conductor Laureate, features an all-star lineup: conductor Ken-David Masur, percussionist J. William Hudgins, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, saxophonist Branford Marsalis, bassist Eric Revis, James Taylor, and harpist Jessica Zhou in an evening of Williams' concert music and film scores, performed by the BSO.
 
• Sunday, August 21, 2:30 p.m.: Returning to Tanglewood since 2011, Itzhak Perlman performs the passionate Max Bruch Violin Concerto in G minor on a BSO program with composer Unsuk Chin's "subito con forza" and Brahms' magisterial Symphony No. 1, led by conductor Dima Slobodeniouk.
 
  • Programs in Ozawa Hall

• Thursday, August 18, 8:00 p.m.: The awe-inspiring Garrick Ohlsson continues his survey of Brahms’ piano masterworks with the Second Piano Sonata; Piano Pieces, Op. 118; Three Intermezzi, Op.117 and the Handel Variations and Fugue, Op. 24.
 
• Sunday, August 21, 8:00 p.m.: The Tanglewood Learning Institute presents MacArthur Fellow and genre-defying singer-songwriter Cécile McLorin Salvant, who will perform selections from her new album "Ghost Song," which features
everything from torch songs to Sondheim-style musical theater dialogues, ancient folk melodies, and jazz meditations.
 
• Tuesday, August 23, 8:00 p.m.: Garrick Ohlsson continues his traversal of Brahms' complete piano works with the third of four recitals, which will include: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Seven Fantasies, Op. 116; Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 35, Book 2; and Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5.
 
  • Conversation in the Linde Center

• Thursday, August 18, 1:00-2:00 p.m.: "TLI In Conversation" presents conductor Dima Slobodeniouk and host Asadour Santourian in 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 or go to tanglewood.org.

Tags: The Classical Beat,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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