English conductor Bramwell Tovey, who made a memorable Tanglewood debut in 2011 leading an acclaimed concert performance of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, returns to the Berkshires Friday, August 17, to conduct Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and two favorites by American composers. Augustin Hadelich takes the lead in Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, and the concert opens with Aaron Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring. On Saturday, August 18, Tanglewood celebrates a truly significant occasion as the Boston Pops and a host of renowned guests celebrate John Williams‘ 80th birthday. Among the artists who will make an appearance are Yo-Yo Ma, Jessye Norman, Anthony McGill, and Gabriela Montero.
Gil Shaham with the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra
For the Leonard Bernstein Memorial Concert on Sunday, August 19, one of the BSO’s and the festival’s most familiar and respected conductors leads the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in two of the repertoire’s most familiar and respected works when Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos once again takes the podium, leading Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and collaborating with soloist Gil Shaham in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Shaham has been performing at Tanglewood history for almost twenty years.
The collective virtuosity of the BSO’s principal players is once again on display Wednesday, August 22, as the Boston Symphony Chamber Players take the Ozawa Hall stage for a wide-ranging program including music of Lukas Foss, J.S. Bach, Hindemith, and Mozart. As a tribute to Serge Koussevitszky, BSO principal double bass player, Edwin Barker, performs Bruch’s Kol nidrei in a transcription for bass and piano.