To me, Tanglewood is summer.
If you were lucky enough to grow up around the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Lenox, Mass., you know exactly what I mean. You spent many a summer evening on the lawn, picnicking with family and friends, gazing up at the stars awash in sound from the world’s finest orchestra …
My family took my brothers and I to countless performances at Tanglewood — from Barry Manilow in 1980 (yes, I was a huge Manilow fan) to numerous BSO concerts. Who recalls John Williams’ directing the Boston Pops in “The Reivers” suite with Burgess Meredith narrating? To a young person who grew up on the “Batman” TV series in which Meredith played the penguin, it was pure magic.
Who can forget Seiji Ozawa? When he was the BSO maestro, we’d get up from our blankets on the lawn and position ourselves just outside the Shed to catch a glimpse of him.
With a family of our own now, my wife and I made sure that our daughters’ first concerts were Boston Symphony Orchestra performances. This year, at ages 3 and 5, they’ll have taken in more concerts than most.
And if you haven’t been to Tanglewood yet or at least in a long time, what are you waiting for? Lawn passes are affordable.
For any parent with young children, start making these Tanglewood memories now: I recommend the Saturday morning open rehearsals at which, for a small admission fee, a young family can hear great music without the nervy experience of bringing young children to a formal matinee or evening concert. Then with experience, you take the next steps.
When you see me at Tanglewood this summer, wave or come say hello.
Kevin Moran, Editor
kmoran@berkshireeagle.com
