BSO to open Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood

Lenox — We knew they were up to something back there—something intriguing and rather large. You probably noticed it yourself: Over the last two summers, curious Tanglewood patrons have seen four new structures take shape on the grassy ridge overlooking Ozawa Hall. And, by the end of June 2019, these new buildings — constituting the Linde Center for Music and Learning — will be ready to host the new Tanglewood Learning Institute in its first year of operations. Accordingly, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, on Friday, June 28, will hold a public ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring the Linde Center’s funders, builders and staff. Open houses begin the following day, with free, family-friendly activities offered throughout the weekend.

This ‘first look’ at Tanglewood’s new Linde Center for Music and Learning, designed by William Rawn Associates Architects and opening June 2019, shows Boston Symphony Orchestra violist Michael Zaretsky and pianist Yang Bao during Jan. 28 acoustical tests in Studio E, the largest of the four-building complex. The Linde Center is home to the new Tanglewood Learning Institute, also launching in summer 2019 and offering more than 140 cross-cultural activities, as well as support for the Tanglewood Music Center, the BSO’s summer music academy. Starting in fall 2019, these all-season buildings will establish Tanglewood for the first time as an all-season facility, provide year-round access to Tanglewood for TLI programming, event rental, and concert use by the BSO, the Berkshire community and beyond. Photo: Winslow Townson

The Linde Center comprises four multi-use buildings, each of which provides a museum-quality view of one long-cherished Tanglewood landmark: a mighty, 100-foot-tall red oak. You can expect to hear much more about that particular tree in years to come, because these buildings frame the venerable old thing like a painting. (Plein air, anyone?)

Yes, the buildings have roof-mounted solar panels and countless other environmentally friendly features. Not to mention state-of-the-art audio and video recording facilities. Also a 150-seat café where you’ll have a chance to hobnob with some of the finest musicians in the world.

To help put all of these new developments into perspective, let’s compare the Linde Center with Ozawa Hall. The Center has a far smaller seating capacity than Ozawa Hall. But that’s a really good thing, because it means when you take your seat in any of these performance spaces, you will find yourself in closer proximity to the performing musicians than ever before. The Linde Center’s long-term importance to Tanglewood could eventually rival or even exceed that of Ozawa Hall. Why? Because of the wide range of programming that the Linde Center can support.

Needless to say, folks throughout the BSO organization are already beside themselves with anticipation. But this should come as no surprise to anyone; the Linde Center is the most ambitious construction project the Boston Symphony has undertaken since they broke ground on Ozawa Hall in 1992. Still, as dazzling as the new facilities are, it’s the new programming that’s causing the most excitement. We can’t possibly describe all TLI activities here, so let’s see how the BSO puts it:

An artist’s rendering of the Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood. Image courtesy Boston Symphony Orchestra

“The Tanglewood Learning Institute’s wide spectrum of activities, intended for both newcomers to Tanglewood and longtime festival patrons, has been designed in response to a cultural landscape that values active engagement and learning. Introducing a new dimension to the Tanglewood experience, TLI’s expansive programs will explore the ways in which music illuminates the human experience by linking Tanglewood performances to relevant themes from the worlds of visual arts, film, history, philosophy, and current events, and offering experiences that dissolve the traditional barrier between performer and audience. TLI’s immersion weekends, interactive talks, films, master classes, and visual arts programs will use music as a point of departure and a gateway leading to spirited dialogue, designed for all who aspire to expand their horizons and connect with other curious knowledge-seekers. Within the atmosphere of the iconic Tanglewood grounds and beautiful vistas, TLI programs will encourage thought-provoking conversation and explore myriad ways to better understand our world through the lens of music.”

An artist’s rendering of the Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood. Image courtesy Boston Symphony Orchestra

The Linde Center buildings are Tanglewood’s first structures to provide both heating and air conditioning, which — along with a curb cut onto Hawthorne Road — means that this state-of-the-art venue will be fully accessible during all seasons. This should please Berkshire residents especially, because once the reality of all this has sunk in, fall and winter will never be the same in the Berkshires. Tanglewood concerts in January? YES!

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Tickets for TLI programs, ranging from $19 for some “Full Tilt” events to $399 for each of the four TLI Weekends, and tickets for the entire 2019 Tanglewood season, ranging from $12–$130 (regular season prices), will go on sale Sunday, Feb. 10 at www.tanglewood.org and (888) 266-1200.