The Classical Beat: Extraordinary Final Tanglewood Concerts

This week, over four days, Tanglewood concludes its 2022 classical programming, culminating with the always-anticipated traditional final concert, on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 28, featuring Beethoven’s glorious and triumphant Ninth Symphony, which will be preceded by Charles Ives’ masterful setting of the majestic Biblical Psalm 90 – assuredly a fitting tribute to cap this extraordinary and celebratory summer festival season, marking the full, post-COVID-19 return of the Boston Symphony and each of its constituent components to its hallowed Berkshire campus.

Preceding the 'Ninth,' there are exceptional programs you should consider attending in Ozawa Hall and in the Shed this week: BSO Assistant Conductor Anna Rakitina and violinist Gil Shaham performing a mostly Russian program (8/26); former BSO Assistant and Associate Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas returns to Tanglewood to lead the BSO in works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff, and Copland (8/27) and, of course, the culminating Ninth Symphony (8/28). Here are the details:

Programs in the Koussevitzky Music Shed

• Friday, Aug. 26, 8:00 p.m.: BSO Assistant Conductor Anna Rakitina will perform Shostakovich's "Waltz No. 2" (from "Suite No. 1" for Variety Orchestra) and the startling Symphony No. 3, "The First of May." Also on the program are Borodin's melodious "Polovtsian Dances" from his opera "Prince Igor" and Dvo?ák's lovely Violin Concerto, featuring the highly esteemed soloist Gil Shaham.

• Saturday, Aug. 27, 8:00 p.m.: Maestro Michael Tilson Thomas, whose rich association with the BSO dates back to his days as a Tanglewood Music Center Fellow (1968-69), is joined by the brilliant young Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev in his BSO and Tanglewood debut performing Rachmaninoff’s ultra-virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 3. Thomas also leads
the orchestra in Rimsky-Korsakov's "Dubinushka." The program concludes with Aaron Copland’s classically American, grandiose Symphony No. 3.

• Sunday, Aug. 28, 2:30 p.m.: Maestro Thomas returns to conduct the BSO in Tanglewood’s traditional season-ending performance of Beethoven’s heaven-storming Symphony No. 9, featuring soloists soprano Jacquelyn Stucker, mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor, tenor Ben Bliss and bass-baritone Dashon Burton. The Tanglewood Festival Chorus, directed by James Burton, provides the fitting opening work - Ives' resplendent, rarely heard setting of Psalm 90.

• Program in Ozawa Hall

• Thursday, Aug. 25, 8:00 p.m.: The magnificent pianist Garrick Ohlsson completes his traversal of the complete works for solo piano by Brahms with the Scherzo in E-flat minor, Op. 4; Variations in F-sharp minor on a theme by Schumann, Op. 9; Sonata No. 1 in C, Op. 1; 16 Waltzes, Op. 39; and Four Piano Pieces, Op. 119.

• Conversation in the Linde Center

• Thursday, Aug. 25, 1:00-2:00 p.m.: The "TLI In Conversation" series concludes with bass-baritone Dashon Burton and host/interviewer Asadour Santourian.

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.

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:08AM / Saturday, December 20, 2025

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 

 

"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 

 

The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 

 

The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 

 

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center. 

 

The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 

 

The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.