Tanglewood a musical haven

By Lee Park
Poughkeepsie Journal

A trip to Massachusetts' Tanglewood performing arts center takes you through the heart of the Berkshires. New England culture is portrayed at every corner and Tanglewood's home, Lenox, is adorned with beautiful homes, quaint boutiques and great restaurants. But that's not why you'll want to visit.

The revered Boston Symphony Orchestra calls Tanglewood its summer home. The venue features the best classical music in a beautiful setting, according to Anthony Fogg, artistic administrator of the site.

''The Boston Symphony Orchestra is one of the best symphonies in the world,'' he said. ''It's a combination of extremely high quality music set in an idyllic and magical surrounding.''

The property, consisting of 210 acres, was originally the Tappan family estate. It was offered as a gift to original music director, Serge Koussevitzky, in 1936. From there, architect Eliel Saarinen proposed an elaborate design for the music pavilion. When it proved to be too expensive, Saarinen said that anything within the trustees' budget would be ''just a shed.''

By 1938, the Koussevitzky Music Shed was completed and still stands today, with a few modern modifications.

Other buildings have been constructed on the land to reflect Tanglewood's music appreciation and educational theme. Koussevitzky, who led the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1924 to 1949, founded in 1940 the Tanglewood Music Center, where young instrumentalists, vocalists, conductors and composers could perfect their craft under the guidance of the orchestra's members. The Boston Symphony Orchestra set a new standard by becoming the first American orchestra to marry a music festival with a school.

Complete experience

Since then, the popularity of the venue has increased substantially. In 1937, the first season, attendance was a mere 37,000. Last year's attendance reached 340,000 for the summer. The increase in numbers is easy to understand.

Tanglewood concert-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, food and wine to accompany the music. A recurring sight on the lawn surrounding the shed is couples living the high life with two reclining lawn chairs, a portable table complete with a flower-filled vase and a bottle of wine, a cooler stocked with food and a good book or two. People bring the finer elements of their own home to the venue, making the experience all the more personal. Of course, a day of fine weather helps, too.

The lawn is a popular destination for much of the crowd. The only drawback is the lack of a direct connection with the stage, which is not in a line of sight from the lawn. However, as Fogg pointed out, Tanglewood has taken steps to remedy the situation.

''We've had the addition of video screens to the back of the shed,'' he said. ''It allows the audience to be involved with the music.''

Inside the shed, patrons of the arts can sit and enjoy the music on a more intimate level. Spectators can watch the bows of the stringed instruments rhythmically move in unison. Also, it's a bit cooler than under the midday sun.

''We were under the shed and looked out on the lawn and it was a tremendous sight,'' said Charlotte Yass from Coconut Creek, Fla. She had traveled to Tanglewood with family and friends for a surprise 50th birthday party for her son, Robert.

The music truly captures the essence of the surroundings. The Boston Symphony Orchestra embodies classical music. Under the guidance of renowned conductor and musical director Seiji Ozawa, the ever-changing repertoire of music glides across the spectrum of classical music.

The Boston Pops and other special guests grace the stage of the shed or the other venues on the premises, including the Ozawa Hall. There are performances by students at the Tanglewood Music Center.

It's not all classical, however. James Taylor performed earlier this summer. This wasn't his first trip to Tanglewood, either, according to Stacie Feldman of Maplewood, N.J.

''The first time I was here was in 1974 to see James Taylor,'' she said.

Dining a must

No matter what music emanates from the stage, the venue's elegance and cordial atmosphere provide a pleasurable experience for both the connoisseurs of classical music and the weekend dabblers looking for some culture.

Taking a stroll through the grounds offers beautiful landscaping, spectacular views of the Berkshires and historic homes. A Sunday afternoon concert makes a perfect outdoor venture. That's not to say that the pleasant summer evening performances are less spectacular. The music travels a great distance, providing a soundtrack for a lovely day or night in the Berkshires.

After a relaxing afternoon at Tanglewood, be sure to catch a meal at one of the many unique restaurants in Lenox. The Lenox 218 Restaurant at 218 Pittsfield Road offers an eclectic cuisine that caps off a day of culture. The menu borders on exotic, as Vermont rabbit is one of the selections. The salmon and chicken Parmesan are well prepared, as are all of the desserts.