Tanglewood, Lenox, MA
August 18, 2018
by Shera Cohen
“Fancy Free” was one of composer Leonard Bernstein’s
contributions to the war effort. Written in 1944, the piece expresses the sweet
short story of three sailors on a one-day pass in New York City. Needless to
say, they soon meet three ladies and pair up. This was the fairytale at
Tanglewood’s Shed. Dance and music told the story.
It’s not often that dance is performed at Tanglewood; even dance
with music – in this case, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, of course, making
Saturday night a double-barrel treat of two art genres joining forces.
Oftentimes, in pieces like “Fancy Free,” the orchestra simply accompanies or is
background music to the dance. In the case of “Fancy Free,” the two art forms
were symbiotic in purpose and execution.
BSO Conductor Andris Nelsons lead the full orchestra as and
Mikko Nissinen choreographed the Boston Ballet troupe. The latter danced in a
large section to the left of the stage, with cartoon-like freestanding scenery
crafting a joyful atmosphere. “Fancy Free” was the perfect choice to begin the
evening’s program and was obviously enjoyed by the audience, which gave an
instant standing ovation.
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| Photo by Hilary Scott |
To continue the All Bernstein Program after intermission was
“Divertimento for Orchestra.” Eight vignettes, each a different music form with
no obvious connection or order between them may seem a bit disjointed. However,
the work was a series of one delight followed by another; i.e. waltz, mazurka,
samba, blues, march, and even the turkey trot. The BSO members might have had
as much fun performing as those listening.
Next, violinist Baiba Skride, who has been a featured
soloist literally throughout the world, together with Nelsons and the BSO
created “Serenade for Violin, String Orchestra, Harp, and Percussion.” Skride’s
looked the part of a serious young woman tackling an equally thoughtful work.
Set in five movements, Skride took center stage, never faltering or tiring in
what was an extremely long work.
Spitting rain subsided about an hour before the concert’s
start. Surely, Leonard Bernstein would have been thrilled by the Tanglewood
turnout, and the expert talents of the BSO and Boston Ballet.
