what interests them in a given moment. If I feel like there’ s a gap— something they haven’ t explored yet— I might suggest something outside their typical work. Maybe a different style, period, or language. I always want them to engage with contemporary music at Tanglewood. Certainly, we repeat masterpieces. For example, we’ re looking forward to presenting a concert performance of Ravel’ s L’ enfant et les sortilèges, which is a magical piece. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Ravel’ s birth, as well as the 100th anniversary of the opera’ s first performance. It’ s such a creative and colorful work in every aspect: music, orchestration, and characterization. The piece is filled with curiosity and hope, and I think those qualities are so needed in the world right now.
That leads perfectly into my next question. What do you think is Ravel’ s influence on modern vocal music, and why celebrate Ravel at 150? He absorbed so much from the world around him: the music of his time, different styles, jazz, even elements of the American Songbook— there’ s Gershwin in there, too. And yet, he found a voice that was entirely his own. With the colors and the harmonies, what he created was new and fresh, and it remains so. I’ ve always loved Ravel’ s music.
You were once a fellow— and now you are the director of the TMC Vocal Arts program. What does it feel like to be in this chapter and this moment at Tanglewood? It’ s extraordinary. Tanglewood is a place where so many musicians have discovered themselves— where they’ ve figured out who they are artistically. That was certainly true for me. My early years at Tanglewood, first as a fellow and then as a performer, were transformative. People talk about the magic of the place and its beauty, and for young musicians, it’ s truly mind-blowing. So many will say that Tanglewood was where they really came into their own. I feel honored and so fortunate to count myself among those people. And I continue to need Tanglewood’ s refreshment every summer. It has never failed to do that for me— primarily through the young people I work with, but also through all the incredible concerts and performances happening around me.
Looking beyond this season, are there any other dream projects or new directions that you ' d love to explore, either personally or with Tanglewood? Actually, I’ m enjoying working with young musicians more than anything. And I didn’ t announce this yet, but I sang my last performance this past May. I planned it and just decided not to make a big deal about it, but it was a very good decision for me. I really thought it was time to focus on working with young musicians. It’ s an exciting moment. n
— Dr. Joshua Sherman
Monday, August 4, 6 p. m., Pre-Concert Talk: Ravel and Colette’ s L’ Enfant et les sortilèges, Robert Kirzinger, BSO Director of Program Publications; Dawn Upshaw, TMC Head of the Vocal Arts, Seiji Ozawa Hall.
Monday, August 4, 8 p. m., L’ Enfant et les sortilèges, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, TMC Conducting Fellows, TMC Vocal Fellows.
See page 92 for more highlights of the Tanglewood season.
bso. org / tanglewood
10 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE May / June 2025