Tanglewood (festival)

Tanglewood (festival)
Name	Tanglewood
Location	Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Years active	1937–present
Founded by	Serge Koussevitzky
Dates	Summer
Genre	Classical music
Website	www.bso.org/tanglewood

Tanglewood (festival). Tanglewood is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and one of the world's most prestigious music festivals. Located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, the festival presents an extensive season of orchestral, chamber music, and contemporary music performances each summer. It is renowned for its idyllic setting, educational programs like the Tanglewood Music Center, and its history of hosting legendary artists and world premieres.

History

The festival's origins trace to a series of concerts held in 1934 at the Interlaken estate of Daniel Hanna. In 1936, Serge Koussevitzky, then music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted the orchestra at a nearby property, leading to the acquisition of the Tanglewood estate in 1937. The first "Berkshire Symphonic Festival" was held that year in a tent, with the iconic Koussevitzky Music Shed opening in 1938. Under Koussevitzky's leadership, the Tanglewood Music Center was founded in 1940, establishing the festival's dual identity as a performance and teaching institution. Subsequent music directors, including Charles Munch, Erich Leinsdorf, Seiji Ozawa, and Andris Nelsons, have shaped its artistic direction. The festival has weathered challenges, including a temporary suspension during World War II and the cancellation of its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Venue and facilities

The festival grounds are situated on a 524-acre estate straddling the towns of Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The primary performance venue is the open-air Koussevitzky Music Shed, which seats approximately 5,000. For chamber music and smaller ensembles, the 1,200-seat Seiji Ozawa Hall, designed by William Rawn, opened in 1994. The campus also includes the Tanglewood Music Center facilities, numerous rehearsal spaces, and the historic Highwood Manor House. A significant portion of the audience enjoys concerts from the lawn, a cherished tradition. The grounds are also home to the Leonard Bernstein Campus, named for the festival's most famous alumnus.

Music programs and performances

The festival's core programming features the Boston Symphony Orchestra in weekly concerts, often under the baton of its music director or renowned guest conductors like Michael Tilson Thomas and Herbert Blomstedt. The Boston Pops Orchestra also performs annually. A robust schedule of chamber music is presented in Ozawa Hall by ensembles such as the Emerson String Quartet and the Boston Symphony Chamber Players. The Festival of Contemporary Music, organized by the Tanglewood Music Center, highlights new works. The repertoire spans from core symphonic literature by Beethoven and Brahms to jazz, folk music, and popular artists, with past performers including James Taylor, Judy Collins, and Wynton Marsalis.

Education and community engagement

Education is central to Tanglewood's mission, primarily through the Tanglewood Music Center, an intensive training academy for young professional musicians founded by Serge Koussevitzky. Fellows study with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and master artists, presenting public concerts throughout the summer. The Tanglewood Learning Institute offers lectures, discussions, and interdisciplinary programs for the public. Community initiatives include free open rehearsals, the "Days in the Arts" program for local youth, and the annual "Tanglewood on Parade" gala. These programs extend the festival's reach beyond its traditional audience and foster new generations of musicians and listeners.

Notable artists and premieres

Tanglewood has been a stage for countless legendary figures. Conductors Leonard Bernstein, a lifelong associate, and Seiji Ozawa, its longest-serving director, are indelibly linked to its history. Celebrated soloists like Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Emanuel Ax are frequent performers. The festival has a storied history of premieres, including Prokofiev's Symphony No. 4 (revised version), Bernstein's Arias and Barcarolles, and John Williams's "Horn Concerto." Notable jazz performances have featured Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and the Dave Brubeck Quartet.

Management and organization

Tanglewood is operated by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Inc., under the leadership of its Board of Trustees. The festival's management includes the Boston Symphony Orchestra's President, Chief Executive Officer, and the Artistic Administrator for Tanglewood. The music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra holds ultimate artistic responsibility for the festival. Key supporting organizations include the Tanglewood Association, a volunteer group, and the Tanglewood Music Center Council. Operations are funded through ticket sales, philanthropic donations from entities like the Tanglewood Annual Fund, corporate sponsorships, and endowment income.

Category:Music festivals in Massachusetts Category:Boston Symphony Orchestra Category:Summer events in Massachusetts Category:Music education organizations