Tanglewood, Lenox, MA
Summer, 2025
by Shera Cohen
Rehearsal v. Concert
Regular Tanglewood visitors are aware that programs are scheduled every Saturday morning; these are orchestra rehearsals for the next day’s concert. Take out your calendars, write these dates down, and try to get to Tanglewood just once this summer. I ask no more.
The scheduled conductor and guest soloists take the stage along with the full Boston Symphony Orchestra. There’s only one noticeable change between the two days’ concerts; it’s casual Saturday as everyone wears summer pastels and shorts, and dress-up Sunday when the musicians wear the traditional classical music “uniforms”. As for the audience, whatever fits and is cool.
Is the rehearsal the exact program at the next day’s “real concert”? Sometimes, but not often. Some can be 2+ hours of start, stop, over, and over, as the conductor talks to various sections of the orchestra, making suggestions on how to perform with perfection. I fully trust the conductor’s decisions. Anything the BSO does is perfect in my book.
Most times, the rehearsal plays straight through until the end of each piece. Only then are segments extrapolated and rehearsed again. To have such a keen ear, I am amazed by the talents of conductors.
For me, rehearsals are learning experiences in one of the most beautiful settings in this country. Prior to attending, I usually don’t pay attention to who’s performing, which composer, etc. Melding the sounds of classical music with the sights, smells, and touch of Tanglewood as a backdrop, just can’t get better on any Saturday morning.
Tanglewood: Rehearsal: Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 2
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| Camille Saint-Saens |
In the span of time it takes to perform only one composition, pianist Lang Lang (whose name I had only heard of) jumped to the Top Ten of My Favorite Musicians of All Time List”.
I often enjoy sitting on the Tanglewood lawn in order to hear a somewhat different sound than when seated in the Shed. This was not the time!
Large monitors at stage left and right as well as outside the building project the soloist at his or her instrument. Up close, the audience can see the sticks against the drumhead, the bow along the violin strings, and fingers on the piano.
In Lang’s case, his skills exuded from his ten fingers, fists, arms, and entire torso. This man has to be seen, not just heard. It’s no surprise that numerous articles call Lang “superstar” and “rock-like musician”.
Learning piano at age 2 in China, and playing “The Nutcracker” publicly at age 5, Lang remembered that his first years of studying were like playing with a toy in his hands. Yet, the piano wasn’t as easy as his violinist father expected it to be. When Lang turned 9, his piano teacher fired him as a student. Mr. Lang was also sharp to criticize his son. “That was very, very difficult for me. I thought my piano career is over,” said Lang.
Jump ahead 8-years, Lang had a solid plan; to play with the biggest orchestra in America. “But in reality, I always play as a sub, waiting for somebody to get sick. You have to be ready all the time, because the opportunity comes in very fast. And if you catch it in the right way, you are in a game,” remembered Lang.
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| Andris Nelsons |
His opening came with the Chicago Symphony at Ravinia Festival, subbing for pianist Andre Watts.
Lang is comfortable on all stages throughout the world; from small groups of children to his largest audience of millions at the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
This is a musician who plays fast with energy on full-power, exaggeration, and arms flailing. It seems he might bounce off the bench. He loves the piano, it’s obvious. Those of us listening at this particular rehearsal, love him.
Note: Quotes paraphrased from Lang’s interview on NPR
