The Classical Beat: Tanglewood, Sevenars Festivals Begin; Taconic Blossoms

By Stephen DanknerGuest Column
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Tanglewood commences its classical concert season this week with BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons at center stage in the Shed for three spectacular orchestral programs: the brilliant pianist Daniil Trifonov is featured in Prokofiev's monumental Third Piano Concerto on July 7, and violinist Hilary Hahn will perform Brahms' supremely lyrical Violin
Concerto with the BSO on Sunday afternoon, July 9. Maestro Nelsons will also conduct the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in its first concert the next evening in a program of masterworks by Debussy, Ravel and Stravinsky.
 
Be sure to also consider attending the remarkable Taconic Music Festival in Manchester, VT. for brilliantly performed chamber music. 
 
There is also the welcoming atmosphere and musical artistry of Sevenars Concerts in Worthington, MA. This season marks their 55 th anniversary, as they present a festival season of seven weekly Sunday afternoon concerts.
 
Tanglewood Shed Concerts
  • Friday, July 7, 8:00 p.m.: Opening Night at Tanglewood with BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons leading the first Boston Symphony concert of the Tanglewood 2023 season, featuring Wynton Marsalis' "Herald, Holler, and Hallelujah," Prokofiev's scintillating Third Piano Concerto with the electrifying Daniil Trifonov as soloist, and Tchaikovsky's ultra-passionate Symphony No. 4. 
  • Saturday, July 8, 8:00 p.m.: Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra will reprise their highly acclaimed presentation of "Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert," prepared by original creators Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens, and Stephen Flaherty for the Pops.
  • Sunday, July 9, 2:30 p.m.: Andris Nelsons and the BSO, joined by classical singer Julia Bullock and the superb violinist Hilary Hahn, present a program including the world premiere of Iman Habibi's "Zhiân," Jessie Montgomery's "Freedom Songs," and Brahms' magisterial Violin Concerto. 
  • Monday, July 10, 8:00 p.m.: Maestro Nelsons conducts the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra (TMCO) in a program of Debussy ("La Mer"), Ravel ("Alborado del grazioso" and "Mother Goose Suite") and Stravinsky ("Jeu de cartes").

Tanglewood Ozawa Hall Concerts

  • Saturday, July 8, 6:00 p.m.: Prelude Concert, Tanglewood Music Center chamber music; works by Schumann/arr. Debussy, David Roche, and Stravinsky. The program features the world premiere of "Thousandth Hymnal," a TMC-commissioned composition by David Roche, TMC '22. 
  • Sunday, July 9, 10:00 a.m.: Tanglewood Music Center chamber music; works by Grieg, Ligeti, Osvaldo Golijov, and Mozart. The program features the world premiere of "Breathing Chords," a TMC- commissioned composition by Peter Shin, TMC '22.
  • Sunday, July 9, 6:00 p.m.: Tanglewood Music Center vocal music: works by Lili Boulanger, Osvaldo Golijov, Ruth Crawford Seeger, Henri Dutilleux, Oliver Knussen, Charles Ives, and Charles Fussell.
Tanglewood Music Center and Tanglewood Learning Institute
Activities in Studio E of the Linde Center
 
  • Wednesday, July 5, 1:30 p.m.: Open Piano Workshop with Marc-André Hamelin and TMC Fellows (joint presentation by TLI and TMC) 
  • Thursday, July 6, 1:00 p.m.: TLI In Conversation with Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart. 
  • Friday, July 7, 5:30 p.m.:TLI Immersion: Themes from "Ragtime" with Angela M. Farr Schiller, Ph.D. 
  • Saturday, July 8, 2:30 p.m.:TLI Immersion: Themes from "Ragtime" with Nicholas Phan, tenor, and TMC Fellows. 
  • Sunday, July 9, 8:00 p.m.: TLI Pamela Z, composer/media artist.

Taconic Music Festival

  • Monday, July 10, 7:00 p.m.: Young Artists Concert II at the Riley Center for the Arts at Burr and Burton Academy, 57 Seminary Avenue, Manchester, VT. The program will feature the following works and performers:

Sergey Prokofiev: String Quartet in F Major, No. 2, op. 92 ("Kabardinian"). Performers: Christina Shari and Paula Lastra-Cancela, violins; Samantha Rehorst, viola; Robert Feifan Hurley, cello.

Florence Price: Piano Quintet in A Minor. Performers: Olena Kaspersky and Nathaniel Parker, violins. Samantha Rehorst, viola; Benjamin Adams, cello; Rosa Burke, piano.

Caroline Shaw: "Blueprint." Performers: Paula Lastra-Cancela and Olena Kaspersky, violins; Rachel O'Connor, viola; Benjamin Adams, cello.

Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 80. Performers: Nathaniel Parker and Christina Shari, violins; Rachel O'Connor, viola; Robert Feifan Hurley, cello.
 
This concert is free, though reservations are recommended. Free-will offering at the door. Suggested: Adults $15, Students/Kids Free.
 
This concert will also be livestreamed; the virtual concert hall opens at 6:45 p.m.
 
For specific repertoire listings during the season and other information, including tickets, and Taconic Music's year-round programs, call (802) 362-7162 or visit online at taconicmusic.org.
 
Sevenars Music Festival
Founded in 1968, Sevenars Concerts is showcasing its 55th anniversary season of six summer concerts, held at the Academy in the historic village of South Worthington, Mass, located at 15 Ireland Street, just off MA Route
112. Phone: (413) 238-5854 (Leave return call phone number). Web: www.sevenars.com . Admission by donation (suggested $20.) Free refreshments will be available.
 
  • Sunday, July 9, 4:00 p.m.: Opening Concert of Sevenars MusicFestival 55th anniversary season - piano, cello, duos, solos, including twoUS premieres. Schrade and James family musicians play piano and cello solos and duos by Debussy, Lalo, Milhaud, Rachmaninoff, Rorem, Sibelius, and selections from "Amazing Africa" by Sören Sieg.
 
 
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Berkshire Natural Resources Council Welcomes Director of Advancement

LENOX, Mass. — Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) announced the appointment of Emily Daunis as the organization's new Director of Advancement. 
 
With a background spanning over 15 years in strategic fundraising, major donor development, and building inclusive philanthropic programs, Daunis will lead BNRC's fundraising and engagement initiatives to support its mission of land conservation and access to nature in the Berkshires.  
 
In her most recent role as Director of Development at Berkshire United Way, Daunis played a part in advancing the organization's revenue goals by conducting new sponsorship initiatives and engagement strategies. Her extensive background also includes fundraising roles at prominent regional institutions such as the Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, and UMASS Amherst. 
 
"Daunis joins BNRC at a critical time, when we need to do even more to conserve land and help people connect to nature in the face of a changing climate. Her ability to connect to people in all walks of life and to create innovative fundraising strategies will enable BNRC to reach its ambitious strategic goals of conserving 20,000 more acres of habitat by 2030," Jenny Hansell, president of BNRC said. "I'm really looking forward to seeing how her leadership will help BNRC forge deeper connections with our supporters, engage new allies, and broaden our impact across the Berkshires." 
 
Daunis, an active member of the local community, holds leadership roles in North Adams, including serving as an elected member of the North Adams Public School Committee. In her new role at BNRC, she will continue her commitment to fostering a culture of philanthropy that is inclusive and rooted in the local community. 
 
"Joining BNRC is an opportunity to help conserve the landscapes that mean so much to everyone in Berkshire County," said Daunis. "I look forward to collaborating with the dedicated team, board of directors, volunteers, and supporters who care so deeply about protecting natural resources. Together we can make an impact that lasts generations." 
 
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