Music fans around New England are already blowing off the cobwebs from the picnic chairs and hampers, in preparation for the yearly pilgrimage to Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home in Tanglewood.

Each summer BSO moves out of hot and humid Boston to the quiet and cooling hills of the Berkshires and performs concerts at the Koussevitzky Music Shed.

Opening night is on July 7th, 2006 and the featured work is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, better known as the Choral Symphony, and conducted by James Levine. When the BSO played this during their Boston season it “brought the house down,” so you can expect “fireworks” again.

Other featured works and special programming during the Tanglewood season include a celebration of Mozart with “Don Giovanni,” the “Requiem” and the “Jupiter” Symphony July 21st-23rd, and Seiji Ozawa conducting Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection” on August 5th.

Tanglewood is near the town of Lenox, nestled deep in the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts. A beautiful spot for scenery and culture, it makes a fitting location for Tanglewood.

There’s something soothing about listening to a Sunday afternoon BSO concert on the lawn at Tanglewood amidst the pastoral setting of the Berkshires. Thousands of others feel the same way, so make sure you leave enough time to get to the ample free parking in time for a good spot and a picnic before the concert.

Attractions close by include: the Hancock Shaker Village, Berkshire Museum, MassoCA, the Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute, and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.

Ticket process for Tanglewood range from $17 to $87.

Directions From Mass Pike (I-90), Exit 1: At the off-ramp, take a right and then an immediate right onto US-102 east. After approximately 4 miles, take a left onto MA-183 north. Stay on MA-183 north for approximately 5 miles. If you want to park in the Lion’s Gate parking lot (performances only), take a right onto West Hawthorne Road, after 1/4 of a mile, you will see traffic guards to direct you to the parking lot. If you want to go to the main entrance, stay on MA-183 north for another 1/4 mile, the main entrance will be on your right.

For other destinations in western Massachusetts, check out my special Massachusetts vacation destinations by clicking here.

Have a great week, and talk to you next week.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Vacation Guide

Related posts:

1. BSO and Levine Performs Mahler’s Ninth and a World Premiere
2. Outstanding Week of Music, Concerts and Events at Tanglewood
3. BSO Stars at Tanglewood in August 2010 and their Dates
4. North Shore Children’s Theatre Welcomes the Tanglewood Marionettes
5. Boston Symphony Orchestra Youth and Education Programs 2010-2011 Season