Lenox, Massachusetts – Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), continues to resonate as a place deeply intertwined with the legacy of composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. For nearly half a century, from until his death in , Bernstein was a fixture at Tanglewood, shaping generations of musicians and cementing the venue’s place in American musical history.
Bernstein’s connection to Tanglewood began as a young conducting student in , a period marked by his eagerness to learn from the renowned Serge Koussevitzky. He quickly secured a place in Koussevitzky’s conducting class, a testament to his prodigious talent, as recognized by the maestro himself. This initial experience proved formative, establishing a lifelong devotion to the Berkshire institution. “Tanglewood was completely in his DNA,” remarked BSO bassist Todd Seeber, a Tanglewood Fellow in and , who later joined the BSO in .
The significance of Tanglewood for Bernstein extended beyond his own artistic development. He became deeply invested in the Tanglewood Music Center (TMC) and its students, viewing their growth as a central part of his musical mission. His dedication wasn’t merely professional; it was, as described by those who knew him, a “transcendent love.” The BSO has been actively revisiting and celebrating this connection, most recently with the 2023 film Maestro, which prominently features Bernstein’s time and music made at Tanglewood.
Before Tanglewood became synonymous with his name, Bernstein’s early exposure to orchestral music came through a different avenue – the Young People’s Concerts. Principal bass Edwin Barker, a TMC Fellow in who joined the BSO in , recalled watching these televised concerts as a child. “I had no idea what orchestra music was when I was a young child,” Barker said. “But I remember seeing the Young People’s Concerts on our little black and white TV when I was 5 or 6 years old, and there he was, waving his arms around.” These broadcasts, for many of his generation, served as a crucial first introduction to the world of orchestral music.
Assistant principal bass Lawrence Wolfe, a TMC Fellow from to and a BSO member since , remembered Bernstein’s televised youth concerts featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma. This highlights Bernstein’s commitment to bringing classical music to a wider audience, a characteristic that defined much of his career.
Tanglewood itself has a history predating Bernstein’s arrival. Originally the Tappan family estate in Lenox, Massachusetts, the two-hundred-acre property was donated to the Boston Symphony Orchestra in . Under the musical direction of Serge Koussevitzky, the BSO began performing concerts there, quickly establishing Tanglewood as a premier music festival. Koussevitzky’s vision extended beyond performances; in , he proposed expanding the festival to six weeks and incorporating an intensive music training program, laying the groundwork for the TMC and, Bernstein’s long association with the venue.
Bernstein’s early career also included formative experiences outside of Tanglewood. Prior to his arrival in the Berkshires, he held a position as a music and drama counselor at Camp Onota for Boys in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the summer of . This assignment, just a few miles from Tanglewood, provided him with valuable professional experience and further immersed him in the musical landscape of the region.
The enduring impact of Bernstein’s presence at Tanglewood is not simply a matter of historical record. It speaks to a unique synergy between artist and place. The lush, verdant setting of Tanglewood, conducive to both focused work and creative inspiration, clearly resonated with Bernstein. The atmosphere, described as “heady” and “infectious,” fostered a sense of potential and magic in the music, qualities that Bernstein himself embodied and sought to cultivate in others. His commitment to Tanglewood spanned five decades, culminating in his final performance in , a fitting end to a remarkable chapter in the history of both the composer and the institution.
The BSO continues to honor Bernstein’s legacy, recognizing that Tanglewood wasn’t just a place he visited, but a fundamental part of who he was as a musician and educator. His influence continues to shape the TMC and inspire musicians who follow in his footsteps, ensuring that the spirit of Bernstein remains alive at Tanglewood for generations to come.
