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Daughter's Book Celebrates Legacy of Leonard BernsteinBy Stephen Dankner, Guest Column
12:00PM / Friday, August 17, 2018 | |
 It's hard to imagine the classical music world without Leonard Bernstein. His death, 28 years ago, left a void that will be very difficult, if not impossible, to fill. Yes, there are young, stellar conductors now on the scene who hold great promise – Ken-David Masur in Boston and the fiery Gustavo Dudamel in Los Angeles. Time will tell if they, or others, possess the potential of the mature Bernstein, who was blessed with unparalleled musical and communicative gifts as conductor, composer, pianist and mentor/lecturer - classical music’s, and America’s, emissary to the world.
There were three great composers who created and thus changed the course of early-to mid-20th
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'BlacKkKlansman': There's no Politics like Show BusinessBy Michael S. Goldberger, iBerkshires Film Critic
03:35PM / Thursday, August 16, 2018 | |
 I doubt I've ever reviewed a movie more important than Spike Lee's "BlacKkKlansman." Greater? Most likely. Although, in astutely fashioning his heartfelt SOS about America's burgeoning racist threat, Spike Lee is no slouch in the art department, either. This scintillating film based on a true story about how, via a white counterpart, Afro-American cop Ron Stallworth infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan, wouldn't be nearly as shocking in its appeal to our better angels were it not such a fine achievement in cinema. Will it win Best Picture? A mere bag of shells. If Lee's magnum opus proves to be this generation's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and 1 Comment
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Enjoy Great Music at Tanglewood, Sevenars, Tannery PondBy Stephen Dankner, Guest Column
08:26AM / Wednesday, August 15, 2018 | |
Come late August, classical aficionados are grateful for the cornucopia of musical riches the Boston Symphony Orchestra bestows to rapt audiences within the incomparably bucolic setting that is Tanglewood. Many of those superlative concerts will reside in our collective memory for a long time. During this penultimate week of the Tanglewood Music Festival, the spotlight will focus on a range of classical fare in varied genres: from chamber and solo piano music by Beethoven, Brahms, Britten and Mahler to symphonic works by Beethoven, Copland, Bartók and Shostakovich. A special treat – part of Tanglewood's "Bernstein Centennial Summer" - will be the Boston Ballet
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Unique Musical Shows Coming to Berkshires This WeekBy Grace Lichtenstein, Guest Column
07:58AM / Wednesday, August 15, 2018 | |
It's an unusual week for music in the Berkshires, with one-offs on offer at two of the major venues in the county. Don't miss these unique shows! Jacob's Pillow A benefit at Jacob's Pillow called "Gotta Dance: New Faces for Broadway” is among the highlights of the summer at the Pillow near Becket. With an onstage band, the show, once called "A Jazz Happening," was created by director/choreographer Chet Walker, playwright Shaun McKenna and composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz features original numbers that provide a chance for all to see new work being readied for the Broadway stage. The show includes an onstage band and is set for 5 p.m.
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413Heart Music & Arts Festival Returns to Dalton| 02:12PM / Monday, August 13, 2018 | |
DALTON, Mass. — In its third year, the 413Heart Music & Arts Festival is bringing an exciting mix of art to the Berkshires.
Opening the festival on Thursday night, Aug. 16, is a night of dance. Members of the Albany Berkshire Ballet will be performing "Spindown," inspired by Michael Boroniec's sculpture series Spatial Spirals and Verdant Fire Movements I and II. Verdant Fire explores one woman's quest to "shed her skin," discover her true self, and find joy in the new world around her.
Also performing will be Professor Sleepwalker and The Magic Pusher, an intergalactic collusion among sound, within movement. The live performance will be followed
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Jazz Camp to Be Hosted at Hoosac Valley By Jack Guerino, iBerkshires Staff
02:23AM / Monday, August 13, 2018 | |
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Hoosac Valley and the Adams Anthony Center are hosting a free Berkshire Jazz Day Camp this week. Berkshire County music students will get a week of face time with five professional New York City musicians that will culminate in a live performance at the Bounti-Fare. "I have always wanted to bring as much music and my experience as an artist back to the area," North Adams native and jazz trumpeter Richard Boulger said. "I always wanted to do that for years and years … and I always thought an opportunity like this would be great for the kids." Boulger will bring with him a team of professional New York City 2 Comments
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'Christopher Robin': What the World Needs NowBy Michael S. Goldberger, iBerkshires Film Critic
02:32PM / Friday, August 10, 2018 | |
 Watching director Marc Forster's delightfully sweet and optimistic "Christopher Robin," wherein the title character now all grown up and in a funk reunites with Winnie the Pooh, his inspiring, childhood pal, my mind wandered. Not because the film wasn't absorbingly influential, but because it was. There I was, back on Dewey Street in Newark, in front of David Stein's house, where I found a dime and screamed of my bonanza, only to be assailed by Mrs. Stein, who claimed it was the dime David had lost. But that's OK. Arriving in front of the six-family house at 61 Dewey, crying about my fortune so quickly won and lost, there stood my Mom, as if a sixth sense 0 Comments
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Review: 'West Side Story' at Barrington Stage: Wow!By Nancy Salz, Guest Column
11:00AM / Friday, August 10, 2018 | |
Surely you know the song "Maria" from "West Side Story: "Maria, the most beautiful sound I ever heard, Maria. I've just met a girl named Maria ..." It has been recorded by Johnny Mathis, Dave Brubeck, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, to name just a few.
But you will never know the profound emotion in that song until you hear it sung by Tony, the character for whom it was written. And if the Tony happens to be young and a superb singer – as he is in the current, breathtaking Barrington Stage revival – only then can you appreciate the wonder and amazement of young, first love in its music and lyrics. I know every note and every word to that
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Tanglewood Presents Powerhouse ProgramsBy Stephen Dankner, Guest Column
02:18PM / Wednesday, August 08, 2018 | |
This week, Tanglewood continues its high energy 2018 classical season with a powerhouse pair of programs performed by the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra (TMCO) and the Boston Pops, with guest artists the TMC vocal Fellows and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) Young Artists Chorus.
The "heavy hitters" are John Williams' "Film Night" - always an audience favorite event and a high point of each year's Tanglewood offerings - led by Mr. Williams and Boston Symphony maestro Andris Nelsons. Conductor Stefan Asbury directs a TMCO instrumental chamber ensemble accompanying the TMC vocal Fellows in a concert version of Leonard Bernstein's
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Old and New Favorites in Coming UpBy Grace Lichtenstein, Guest Column
01:30PM / Wednesday, August 08, 2018 | |
There are both old and new favorites on the horizon for this second week of August. Get ready for a revival of "She Loves Me," "The Wedding Singer," Melissa Manchester and Air Supply, plus a jazz afternoon at Sevenars. Here is a wide range of styles for pop lovers: Sevenars Jerry Noble and Friends, specifically jazz clarinetist Bob Sparkman, headline the show at this Worthington venue on Sunday, Aug. 12, at 4 p.m. Jerry is a pianist, composer and guitarist who for 20 years has teamed on jazz collaborations with Bob. At this performance, they will play their favorites and as a special treat, they will be joined by bass guitarist Karen Noble.
Jerry and Karen
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