Tanglewood — 2025/07/19-20

 "A night at the opera" and an evening of orchestral music await us today and tomorrow.

 We get "a night at the opera" this evening and orchestrea music tomorrow/

July 19, 2025

Here's WCRB's description: https://www.classicalwcrb.org/show/the-boston-symphony-orchestra/2025-04-23/puccinis-tosca-live-from-tanglewood 

Saturday, July 19, 2025
8:00 PM

Andris Nelsons, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and a cast of phenomenal singers bring Puccini’s operatic tale of love and treachery, “Tosca,” to the Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood. Floria Tosca, driven by jealousy and love, struggles to save her lover, painter Mario Cavaradossi, from the sadistic chief of police, Baron Scarpia.

Andris Nelsons, conductor
Kristine Opolais, soprano (Tosca)
SeokJong Baek, tenor (Cavaradossi)
Bryn Terfel, baritone (Scarpia)
Patrick Carfizzi, bass-baritone (Sacristan)
Neal Ferreira, tenor (Spoletta)
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
 James Burton, conductor

Giacomo PUCCINI Tosca

For more information on Tanglewood concerts, visit the BSO box office.

The BSO's performance detail page https://www.bso.org/events/bso-july-19-puccini-tosca?performance=2025-07-19-20%3A00 doesn't tell us much more, but it does have a link to the program notes as well as to performer bios:

Sat, Jul 19, 2025 8:00pm EDT 

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Boston Symphony OrchestraAndris Nelsons, ConductorKristine Opolais, soprano (Tosca)SeokJong Baek, tenor (Cavaradossi)Bryn Terfel, baritone (Scarpia)Morris Robinson, bass (Angelotti)Patrick Carfizzi, bass-baritone (Sacristan)Nicholas Newton, bass-baritone (Sciarrone/The Jailer)Neal Ferreira, tenor (Spoletta)Ari Davis, boy soprano (Shepard Boy)Tanglewood Festival ChorusJames Burton, BSO Choral Director and Conductor of the Tanglewood Festival ChorusBoston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists’ Chorus

PUCCINI Tosca

Concert performance; sung in Italian with English supertitles. Please note that the onstage drama of Tosca features rifles and a starter pistol that will be fired in Act III.

The opera has its dramatic moments. If you can find a libretto, it might be useful.

July 19, 2025

There will be some discrepancies between what WCRB tells us and what we see in the BSO page because the piano soloist soesn't want his performance broadcast. Here's what 'CRB says:

Sunday, July 20, 2025
7:00 PM

Boston Symphony Music Director Andris Nelsons leads the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in two masterpieces that highlight the virtuosity and expressive range of the young professionals of the TMC, starting with the Symphony No. 2 by Brahms, recorded on July 7, followed by Hector Berlioz’s musical depiction of all-consuming, obsessive love, Symphonie fantastique.

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor
Yiran Zhao, conductor (Smetana)

Johannes BRAHMS Symphony No. 2
Bedrich SMETANA Vltava (The Moldau)
Hector BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique

Yuja Wang's performance of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 is not available for broadcast at the soloist's request.

Although the evening broadcast will differ from the live show in the afternoon, the program detail page https://www.bso.org/events/july-20-tmco-yuja-wang?performance=2025-07-20-14%3A30 at least gives acxces to the program notes for the Berlioz. Here's the url for the July 7 program detail page https://www.bso.org/events/july-7-twd-music-ctr-orch?performance=2025-07-07-20:00 

Note that the orchestra is the lTanglewood Festival Orchestra, the students who are in the summer pprogram at Tanglewood. They're quite good, of course.

So it may seem a bit confusing, but it's all good music.

Saturday brings French composition, as WCRB notes:

BSO/Classical New England — 2024/12/21

 Tonight's BSO concert on WCRB:

Saturday, December 21, 2024
8:00pm

Seiji Ozawa leads the BSO in a magical ballet score for the season that expresses the innocence of childhood and the drama of transformation, sprinkled with musical delights and passion.

J.S. BACH / Igor STRAVINSKY Chorale Variations of Vom Himmel hoch
Pyotr TCHAIKOVSKY The Nutcracker
Hector BERLIOZ Overture and "Shepherd's Farewell" from L'enfance du Christ

This concert was originally broadcast on December 23, 2023.

Clearly, this was not a live concert last year, but something WCRB put together for the occasion a while back, which means that there is no BSO performance detail page or reviews. But it is all seasonal music and worth hearing, so I recommend giving a listen.

BSO — 2024/10/12

 This week we get to hear a great concert. Here's the description from WCRB:

Saturday, October 12, 2024
8:00 PM

Assistant Conductor Samy Rachid makes his BSO subscription debut in a program featuring the glorious Symphony Hall organ: Olivier Latry, organist at Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral, performs Michael Gandolfi’s Ascending Light, a BSO-commissioned work composed as tribute to Armenian culture on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Camille Saint-Saëns’s Third Symphony features the organ prominently in both its serene slow movement and in its majestic Finale. Hector Berlioz’s Waverley Overture evokes the romance and intrigue of Sir Walter Scott’s historical novels.

Samy Rachid, conductor
Olivier Latry, organ

BERLIOZ Waverley Overture
Michael GANDOLFI Ascending Light, for organ and orchestra
SAINT-SAËNS Symphony No. 3, Organ Symphony

In a conversation with WCRB's Brian McCreath, conductor Samy Rachid describes the foundational role the BSO played in his life as a musician, what led him to be a conductor, and how this concert was programmed. To listen, use the player above, and read the transcript below.

TRANSCRIPT:

Brian McCreath I'm Brian McCreath at Symphony Hall with Samy Rachid, Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony. Samy, 

I haven't read the interview yet, but it should be interesting.

Now here's what the BSO says on their performance detail page:

Samy Rachid, conductor
Olivier Latry, organ

BERLIOZ Waverley Overture
Michael GANDOLFI Ascending Light, for organ and orchestra
-Intermission-
SAINT-SAËNS Symphony No. 3, Organ Symphony

BSO Assistant Conductor Samy Rachid makes his BSO subscription debut in a program featuring the glorious Symphony Hall organ. Olivier Latry, organist at Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral, premiered Michael Gandolfi’s Ascending Light here in 2015. The BSO-commissioned work was composed as tribute to Armenian culture on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Camille Saint-Saëns’s Third Symphony features the organ prominently in its majestic finale. Hector Berlioz’s Waverley Overture evokes the romance and intrigue of Sir Walter Scott’s historical novels.

The Intelligencer has a rather noncommittal review, although the reviewer did like the conductor's take on the Saint-Saëns. The Globe review is somewhat more enthusiastic.Neither matches my delight in what I saw and heard on Friday afternoon. If you read the Intelligencer, check out the first comment from Mogulmeister. I like what he says.

I greatly enjoyed what I heard and saw, especailly before the intermission. The slender conductor, with a jacket that was closely fitted at the waist, conducted with highly energetic gestures and the music we heard corresponded to his conducting. Il was all rewarding to hear, and I recommend listening as closely as you can tp the "Waverly" Overture and "Light Ascending" Both unfold beautifully. The organ console was placed where I could have a clear view of the keyboards, which was interesting to watch. But again, you'll be able to tell when the organ is playing, especially during "Light Ascending."

So by all means, listen if you possible can, as closely as you can. The program notes on the BSO site can also be helpful for your understanding and enjoyment. I think you'll like this as much a Mogulmeister and I did.

Tanglewood — 2024/08/17-18

 I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday I was distracted by the Red Sox game. I hope you thought about Tanglewood without my prompt. If you listened, you heard the Prokofiev Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony, which should have been enjoyable. This evening at Tanglewood, they're giving "Jurassic Park in Concert." WCRB will rescue us from that with an "encore broadcast" from last summer. Here's their summary:

Saturday, August 17, 2024
8:00 PM

In an encore broadcast, Dutch pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen are the soloists in Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E minor, and Kazuki Yamada leads the BSO in the Symphonie fantastique by Berlioz.

Kazuki Yamada, conductor
Lucas and Arthur Jussen, pianos

Felix MENDELSSOHN Concerto in E for two pianos and orchestra
Hector BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique

This concert was originally broadcast on August 6, 2023 and is no longer available on demand.

An "excellent choice," as some waiters seem to say regardless of what you ordered. I'd certainly rather hear this than Jurassic Park. Your opinion may differ.

The BSO's performance detail page no longer has the program notes for the concert, but the performer bios are still linked and could be interesting reading.

The Sunday concert looks quite good as well. Here's what WCRB says:

Sunday, August 18, 2024
7:00 PM

In a Boston Symphony concert from Tanglewood, Yo-Yo Ma is the soloist in Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto, and BSO Assistant Conductor Earl Lee leads the orchestra in Carlos Simon’s “Fate Now Conquers” and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7.

Boston Symphony Orchestra
Earl Lee, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello

Carlos SIMON Fate Now Conquers
Robert SCHUMANN Cello Concerto
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

To hear a preview of the concert and Earl Lee's reflections on his two years as a BSO Assistant Conductor, use the player above, and read the transcript below:

TRANSCRIPT:

Brian McCreath I'm Brian McCreath at the Koussevitzky Music Shed with Earl Lee, here for his last concert as Assistant Conductor with the Boston Symphony. Earl, thank you for a little bit of your time today

As you see, there's an interview with the conductor which you can read or listen to. I read it, and it's pretty interesting. Hearing might be even better because you can hear what he sings at one point.

The orchestra's performance detail page gives the same basic information along with links to performer bios and program notes:

Tanglewood

Koussevitzky Music Shed, Lenox/Stockbridge, MA 

Boston Symphony Orchestra
Earl Lee, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello

Carlos SIMON Fate Now Conquers
SCHUMANN Cello Concerto
-Intermission-
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

This afternoon’s concert is generously supported by Dr. Dorothy A. Weber, in memory of Stephen R. Weber.

This afternoon's performance by Yo-Yo Ma is generously supported by Nancy and Jay Nichols.

The program note for "Fate Now Conquers " is particularly informative. I'm looking forward to hearing it. Of course the rest of the concert is very popular repertory.

So there are two good concerts in store. Enjoy.

BSO — 2024/05/04

 The Symphony Hall subscription season ends with "Roméo et Juliette" by Hector Berlioz. Here's WCRB's synopsis:

Saturday, May 4, 2024
8:00pm

Encore broadcast on Monday, May 13

To close the 2023-2024 Boston Symphony season, Andris Nelsons leads one of Hector Berlioz’s most beloved works, Roméo et  Juliette. Berlioz described his the piece as a “symphony with choruses,” with the title characters represented both in the orchestra and through the vocal soloists. 

Andris Nelsons, conductor
J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano
Nicholas Phan, tenor
John Relyea, bass-baritone
Tanglewood Festival Chorus

Hector BERLIOZ Roméo et Juliette

Apparently there is no interview with any of the artists, but that's probably not needed for this concert. We can visit the BSO performance detail page for more about the piece and links to performer bios and the program notes:

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Symphony Hall, Boston, MA 

Andris Nelsons, conductor 
J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano
Nicholas Phan, tenor
John Relyea, bass
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
 James Burton, conductor 

BERLIOZ Roméo et Juliette* 

*Sung in French with English supertitle

Friday afternoon's performance by J’Nai Bridges is supported by a gift in loving memory of Alan J. Dworsky.
This week's performances by the Tanglewood Festival Chorus are supported by the Alan J. and Suzanne W. Dworsky Fund for Voice and Chorus.

The works of William Shakespeare deeply influenced composer Hector Berlioz. In fact, it was actress Harriet Smithson’s performances of two great Shakespearean heroines — Ophelia in Hamlet and of Juliet inRomeo and Juliet — that captivated the composer and led to their (ill-fated) marriage. As we close the season, Andris Nelsons leads one of Berlioz’s most successful and vibrant compositions, Roméo et Juliette. Berlioz called his Roméoet Juliette a “symphony with choruses,” highlighting the importance of the orchestra and of the work’s overall form. These performances celebrate the role of French repertoire in the BSO’s rich history; the complete symphony and movements from it were frequently programmed by Pierre Monteux, Serge Koussevitzky, Charles Munch, and Seiji Ozawa. 

The Friday Preview talk on May 3 will begin at 12:15pm. Admission included with ticket.

Thursday's performance will end around 9:10pm, Friday's performance will end around 3:10pm, and Saturday's performance will end around 9:40pm.

Unfortunately, they don't seem to have provided the text. I've found this link https://www.opera-arias.com/berlioz/romeo-et-juliette/libretto/english/ at "Berlioz Romeo et Juliette libretto."

The Intelligencer has a descriptive review with no complaints. The review in the Globe was also descriptive, with some minor quibbles.

I don't think I've ever heard the full piece, but the love scene is often played on the radio. Based on that and on my overall liking for Berlioz's music, I think you'll like this one a lot.

P.S. From now until the BSO begins its Tanglewood Season in July, WCRB will fill the Saturday evening time slot with encore broadcasts of some of the concerts from last summer. I may not post something about each one of them, but you can find a listing of what they will offer here: https://www.classicalwcrb.org/show/the-boston-symphony-orchestra  Enjoy!

BSO/Classical New England — 2023/12/23

 They don't tell us in so many words, but it looks as if this evening's BSO offering from WCRB is this collection from the days of Seiji Ozawa: https://www.classicalwcrb.org/show/the-boston-symphony-orchestra/2021-11-11/tchaikovskys-the-nutcracker-from-the-bso

Saturday, December 25, 2021
8:00 PM

In a timeless holiday season tradition, Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra bring to life Tchaikovsky's magical tale of Christmas, Sugar Plum Fairies, and one very handsome prince!

Boston Symphony Orchestra
Seiji Ozawa, conductor

BACH/STRAVINSKY Chorale Variations on Vom Himmel hoch
TCHAIKOVSKY The Nutcracker
BERLIOZ Overture and "Shepherd's Farewell" from Part 2 of L'enfance du Christ

It's good stuff, worth listening to.

Tanglewood — 2023/08/05-06

 Oops! I Did(n't) it again. I hope you check out WCRB on Friday evenings even if I've neglected to post about the concert. Here's a bit about the rest of the weekend. First for this evening:

Saturday, August 5th, 2023
8:00 PM

A cherished Tanglewood tradition, John Williams’ Film Night returns with the Boston Pops! John Williams and David Newman conduct cinematic classics and music from Williams’s own astonishing catalog.

John Williams and David Newman, conductors
BU Tanglewood Institute Chorus

John Williams’ Film Night

The BSO page gives us more detail:

John Williams and David Newman, conductors
BU Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Vocal Program
 Penelope Bitzas, director
 Katie Woolf, conductor

A cherished Tanglewood tradition, John Williams’ Film Night returns with the Boston Pops, along with Maestros Williams and Newman sharing the podium for a memorable program of film clips and music from the silver screen. It’s a special evening of movie magic that you won’t want to miss.

WHITING, Arr. John WILLIAMS Hooray for Hollywood!
WILLIAMS The Cowboys
HERRMANN Scène d’amour from Vertigo
WILLIAMS Suite from Far and Away
WILLIAMS Theme from Jurassic Park
WILLIAMS Love Theme and March from Superman
WILLIAMS Selections from Star Wars:
 The Asteroid Field
 Anakin’s Theme
 Throne Room & Finale

Then tomorrow evening WCRB says we'll be able to hear this program recorded Sunday afternoon:

Sunday, August 6th, 2023
7:00 PM

Dutch pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen are the soloists in Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E minor, and Kazuki Yamada leads the BSO in the Symphonie fantastique by Berlioz.

Kazuki Yamada, conductor
Lucas and Arthur Jussen, pianos

Felix MENDELSSOHN Concerto in E for two pianos and orchestra
Hector BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique

The BSO page has a link to some information about the Berlioz piece:

Kazuki Yamada, conductor
Lucas and Arthur Jussen, pianos

MENDELSSOHN Concerto in E for two pianos and orchestra
Intermission
BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique

Gates open at 12pm

This program is supported by the Dutch Culture USA program of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New York and has received funding through a grant from the Netherland-America Foundation.

If you like John Williams, tonight's show is one you won't want to miss. The Sunday concert should be quite enjoyable.