John Williams' Film Night at Tanglewood, Aug 2 and 3, 2024

[rpvee 933]

Oh no!! I hope everything is okay, considering these concerts are still a couple months out. Interesting that the email doesn’t mention Tanglewood on Parade… surely he wouldn’t be doing that if he’s not doing Film Night?

[Smeltington 1,751]

Maybe they'll just quietly change the program for Tanglewood on Parade? I could picture that, since it's not really Williams-centric, and they probably prefer not to make these types of announcements when they can avoid it.

 

Update, just got the same email for Tanglewood on Parade:

 

Dear Ticketholder,

 

Due to a recent health concern, from which he is expected to make a full recovery, John Williams will be unable to participate in the Tanglewood on Parade concert on the evening of August 6, 2024. At Maestro Williams’ request, Ken-David Masur will join conductors Keith Lockhart, Alan Gilbert, and Anna Rakitina in leading the planned tribute to Seiji Ozawa.

 

Please direct any questions to tickets@bso.org.

[Turbo 79]

Quote

Hello there,   Thank you for reaching out to us.   With apologies for any inconvenience, all ticket sales are final and I am unable to offer you a refund at this time. All programs are subject to change. If you have any other questions or concerns, you're welcome to contact us by phone at 617-266-1200.

 

Here's the response I got.

[Bellosh 4,223]

1 minute ago, Turbo said:

 

Here's the response I got.

 

yup got the same response.

 

you gonna call them?

[Andy 5,949]

1 minute ago, rpvee said:

Oh no!! I hope everything is okay, considering these concerts are still a couple months out.

It’s most concerning if you read between the lines. The say he’s gonna make a full recovery.  To me that means health back to 100% and back to conducting.   So is it a full recovery and if so, then why not have him go?

 

I don’t like this at all. 

[Turbo 79]

15 minutes ago, Bellosh said:

you gonna call them?

 

Definitely, once I get a break from work.

[Bellosh 4,223]

i am still thinking about going.  i did already take the day off of work.

 

it will still be a magical summer night hearing the music, and i've never been to Tanglewood.

[Smeltington 1,751]

Tanglewood is the greatest, and it's John Williams' music, so it's still worth it if you're not hugely inconvenienced. Like, if you were flying from Europe or something.

 

Can't believe they won't do refunds, that's some BS.

 

Yes, it's concerning that Williams had to cancel, but it may or may not mean anything given how many times this has already happened before. So we can hope for the best. I'm sure he's being cautious as always.

[Bellosh 4,223]

3 minutes ago, Smeltington said:

Can't believe they won't do refunds, that's some BS.

 

or at least a discount.  highly doubt my tickets would have cost this much if JW was never gonna be performing in the first place.

[Smeltington 1,751]

Usually the prices for Film Night at Tanglewood seem very reasonable to me. But it's still bad form not to refund you if you ask for it. I suppose they're in a unique position compared to some other venues that have hosted Williams, in that this is such a huge earner compared to all the other Boston Pops performances in the same venue.

[mrbellamy 7,278]

2 hours ago, Andy said:

It’s most concerning if you read between the lines. The say he’s gonna make a full recovery.  To me that means health back to 100% and back to conducting.   So is it a full recovery and if so, then why not have him go?

 

I don’t like this at all. 

 

It could just be that he needs to have something done in July and won't be recovered by these dates. 

 

It doesn't sound routine but I'm not so worried right now. 

[Bespin Copilot 9,582]

Back problems... I hope. Not a cancer treatment, I hope.

[Mr. Hooper 5,021]

I'm sure he's getting the best care, and it's encouraging to hear he's expected to make a full recovery.

 

4 hours ago, Bellosh said:

i am still thinking about going.

 

it will still be a magical summer night hearing the music, and i've never been to Tanglewood.

I say go for it, especially since you've never been before. The Maestro will be there in spirit.

[Foxfan 186]

5 hours ago, Turbo said:

 

Here's the response I got.

That’s terrible. I’ll give them a call because they were able to offer a refund a few years back when he cancelled a Tanglewood on Parade appearance and they saw my then 15-year history as a BSO/Pops attendee  and the fact I face super commute down from the Ottawa area.

 

I’m considering going to Boston early October to experience Mahler 8th at Symphony Hall, so I’d even settle for an exchange if they really want to stick to their T&C and not offer refunds. 
 

Wishing the best to our beloved Maestro for his speedy recovery. Can’t wait to hear his eventual Piano Concerto any many more joyous moments. I’m unsure about having the time to do Vienna this December, but would consider a trip to Berlin next Spring maybe.

[BB-8 4,958]

20 hours ago, Bellosh said:

i am still thinking about going.  i did already take the day off of work.

 

it will still be a magical summer night hearing the music, and i've never been to Tanglewood.

16 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

I'm sure he's getting the best care, and it's encouraging to hear he's expected to make a full recovery.

 

I say go for it, especially since you've never been before. The Maestro will be there in spirit.

 

I still went to Vienna in 2018...

 

 

In retrospect, I am actually grateful to John Williams for triggering my trip to Vienna where I happened upon Lohengrin and Beethoven's 9th instead.

 

[Pr11 0]

Anyone hear back about possible refunds? Maybe by calling?

 

EDIT: You can contact on the site's chat to get an exchange, credit, or refund.

https://www.bso.org/

[WilliamsStarShip2282 326]

On 05/06/2024 at 6:17 AM, Bespin said:

Back problems... I hope. Not a cancer treatment, I hope.

 We don't say things like there here!

[Director of Poltergeist 8,048]

I kinda want to go to this now that everyone wants a refund.

[Jay 42,358]

Are you back on the east coast?

[Director of Poltergeist 8,048]

No but there's no issue getting there and staying at a nice expensive hotel local to that stupid rural Tanglewood two lane road that gets backed up for miles.

[Director of Poltergeist 8,048]

So who's going to this? Tickets are surprisingly low but I'll grab the most expensive ones. I'm seriously considering going, both nights, and staying at the swankiest hotel near Tanglewood. Drax doesn't want to go because he's in Australia doing nothing. Who is with us?

[Tom 5,591]

Maybe this is like a Job test by Williams to the fans.  He will end up conducting, but only for those who demonstrated a pure love for his music.  

[BB-8 4,958]

On 15/06/2024 at 4:52 AM, Tom said:

Maybe this is like a Job test by Williams to the fans.  He will end up conducting, but only for those who demonstrated a pure love for his music.  

A true JWfan even attends officially cancelled shows in case JW makes a surprise appearance or otherwise to be 100% sure that JW was absent.

[Bellosh 4,223]

3 hours ago, BB-8 said:

A true JWfan even attends officially cancelled shows in case JW makes a surprise appearance or otherwise to be 100% sure that JW was absent.

 

lol i know you're joking (i hope) --- but music aside, which no matter who's performing/conducting is a pleasure, but i like to hear John's very gentle voice and stories when i see him live (which has only been like 3 times)

 

these are not the same without that

[Foxfan 186]

So I just called the BSO this morning and they were able to offer a full refund for my Film Night at Tanglewood ticket.

 

Suits me just fine as the single tickets for new 2024-2025 BSO season went on sale today and I'll be going to Boston October 4 to hear Mahler 8th "Symphony of a Thousand" live in Symphony Hall instead!

 

I don't think I can do Vienna in December, but I'm already planning my June 2025 vacation around Berlin to see The Maestro there! So wishing him a good recovery and sorry I won't be joining those of you still going to Tanglewood next weekend.

[TiredDad 0]

Concerts will be broadcast over classical 99.5 Boston radio
 

https://www.classicalwcrb.org/show/the-boston-symphony-orchestra?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR010Wc65qG38HoqMnwNhFlhHZKVNEQLsnmhJlsfgMPVFQl1IOL_zBqAxeY_aem_qebiWNsa2BiJWP3cAo7law

[Andy 5,949]

I’m going Friday

[BB-8 4,958]

Any chance of getting a video message?

[Andy 5,949]

Anyone else going who wants to meet for a drink before the show?

[Mr. Hooper 5,021]

8 minutes ago, Andy said:

Anyone else going who wants to meet for a drink before the show?

I won't be there, but I'll send a video message of me having a beer.

[Andy 5,949]

Well we arrived in Lenox. It poured rain like monsoon over all country. We are at our hotel waiting until it is drizzle or less.  This is going to be a very wet Tanglewood.  I’ll report back when I have Jango Fett in custody. 

[Tom 5,591]

That's not rain.  That is God crying because Williams is not there.  

[Andy 5,949]

Just heard the 6:00 Prelude concert was canceled or delayed because of weather. 

[Joe Brausam 228]

We’re here!

[Andy 5,949]

The rain has stopped but I hear the sound of a thousand terrible things headed this way. 
 

[Meredith McKay 7,843]

Bones are aching @Andy ?

[SilverTrumpet 645]

Does anyone know what they're playing yet? I'll be there tomorrow but usually they have some of what's being performed on the website.

[Miguel Andrade 1,512]

Quote

From Hollywood’s Golden Age to John Williams’s iconic scores, Film Night with the Boston Pops returns to Tanglewood with a special celebration of Henry Mancini’s 100th birthday, all led by conductors Ken-David Masur and David Newman.

Boston Pops Orchestra
Ken-David Masur and David Newman, conductors

John Williams’ Film Night

KORNGOLD Suite from The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
NORTH Forest Meeting and March from Spartacus
John WILLIAMS Theme from Seven Years in Tibet (Oliver Aldort, cello)
MANCINI Theme from The Pink Panther; March from The Great Waldo Pepper; "Moon River" from Breakfast at Tiffany's
John WILLIAMS "The Duel" from The Adventures of Tintin
BERNSTEIN Suite from On the Waterfront

John WILLIAMS Superman March
John WILLIAMS Celebrating NBC: Olympic Fanfare and Theme; Meet the Press; The Mission Theme (NBC Nightly News); Wide Receiver (Sunday Night Football)
RAKSIN Theme from Laura (Lucia Lin, violin)
John WILLIAMS Three selections from Star Wars: March of the Resistance; Luke and Leia; Throne Room and Finale

 

[Mr. Hooper 5,021]

I hope you're all in the shed!

 

Feel bad for those on the lawn. The grounds have probably turned to icky, icky goo by now.

 

 

*cough*

[Potterhead 43]

Fun night but definitely lacked with no Williams there. We had 3 encores, the same he’s been doing for a while now. Still had a great time. I was in the shed so can’t speak for people outside 

[Foxfan 186]

Interesting choice to play Seven Years in Tibet. Did the conductor give a reason for the selection?
 

Is the arrangement identical to the End Credits on the OST? Or is it a new revision/concert arrangement?

[Andy 5,949]

14 minutes ago, Potterhead said:

Fun night but definitely lacked with no Williams there. 

For sure.  Neither conductor really slowed down to tell anecdotes.   Newman, a little. But he seemed in a hurry. I think they were hot and uncomfortable.  Definitely not the same without John. 
 

I had decent seats in the shed, and idiot drunken yuppies cracking open cold ones and giggling in the row behind me.  They got the death stare from me a couple of times. 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Foxfan said:

Interesting choice to play Seven Years in Tibet. Did the conductor give a reason for the selection?
 

Is the arrangement identical to the End Credits on the OST? Or is it a new revision/concert arrangement?

Seemed the same to me, but I’m not 100% sure. 
 

Luke and Leia had an odd arrangement. There were several bars in the beginning and in the middle that were just omitted.  Anyone else ever hear it this way?  It’s as if they just chose a few bars and crossed them off throughout the piece. 
 

Wide Receiver brought the energy. The highlight for me.  Much more rambunctious than its cousin March of the Resistance also played tonight.  
 

I could do without the images shown on the screens. People cheer their favorite athletes or chuckle at amusing scenes. It’s lame. I don’t need to see Star Wars images over March of the Resistance.  I’ve never been to a LTP concert, and I don’t think I ever will.   I want to concentrate on the performers,  not distracting visuals. 

 

Neat to hear Olympic Fanfare played live during an actual Olympic Games season.  The whole NBC suite was the highlight for me.   The Normies are so lame when they chuckle the opening bars of the NBC News theme. 
 

The non-Williams stuff was… meh. With the exception of the Spartacus suite. That had some teeth to it with all the intense and interesting percussion. 
 

Encores were Marion’s Theme, ET, and Imperial March.  I would’ve preferred the Raiders March with Marion’s theme as a more lively send off. 
 

Overall, still a fun concert. But just knowing what it could’ve been, compromises the spirit. That and the traffic guard who nearly sent us to our death demanding we exit in the opposite direction we wanted, taking us down the foggiest, most winding wooded roads in pitch darkness. 
 

 

[Brando 2,459]

34 minutes ago, Andy said:

That and the traffic guard who nearly sent us to our death demanding we exit in the opposite direction we wanted, taking us down the foggiest, most winding wooded roads in pitch darkness. 

I'm pretty certain I took this road last year....and my phone service wasn't working so that was a lot of fun not having a map to go by.

[BB-8 4,958]

4 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

I hope you're all in the shed!

 

Feel bad for those on the lawn. The grounds have probably turned to icky, icky goo by now.

 

 

*cough*

JW knew all along that is was an El Niño year and avoided the water shed.

[Jay 42,358]

9 hours ago, Andy said:

I had decent seats in the shed, and idiot drunken yuppies cracking open cold ones and giggling in the row behind me.

 

Yuppies?

 

9 hours ago, Andy said:

Luke and Leia had an odd arrangement. There were several bars in the beginning and in the middle that were just omitted.  Anyone else ever hear it this way?  It’s as if they just chose a few bars and crossed them off throughout the piece.

 

Yes, it's been performed that way for years now. Can read about it any of the concert threads from the last few years where it was played.

[Mr. Hooper 5,021]

10 hours ago, Foxfan said:

Interesting choice to play Seven Years in Tibet. Did the conductor give a reason for the selection?
 

Is the arrangement identical to the End Credits on the OST? Or is it a new revision/concert arrangement?

Check out @ocelot's video of it over on the 'Maestro of the Movies: John Williams with the LA Phil - July 12 - 14, 2024 @ Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA' thread.

 

9 hours ago, Andy said:

Neither conductor really slowed down to tell anecdotes.   Newman, a little. But he seemed in a hurry.

 

Newman's anecdotes and descriptions tend to ramble on anyway.

 

9 hours ago, Andy said:

I had decent seats in the shed, and idiot drunken yuppies cracking open cold ones and giggling in the row behind me.  They got the death stare from me a couple of times.

 

I really don't understand people who spend money like that just to act like goofs.

 

9 hours ago, Andy said:

Luke and Leia had an odd arrangement. There were several bars in the beginning and in the middle that were just omitted.

 

The end is truncated too, I think. Williams should've left well enough alone IMHO. It was perfect to begin with.

 

9 hours ago, Andy said:

The Normies are so lame when they chuckle the opening bars of the NBC News theme.

Lucky they didn't play the 'Jaws' theme. That gets them giggling.

 

9 hours ago, Andy said:

Encores were Marion’s Theme, ET, and Imperial March.  I would’ve preferred the Raiders March with Marion’s theme as a more lively send off.

Exactly. Why play Marion's Theme, which is repetitive, when it's featured in the Raiders March and you get more bang there.

[Andy 5,949]

31 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

I really don't understand people who spend money like that just to act like goofs.

I grabbed their hands and for sure, they had city hands.  Been countin money all their life. 

[Marian Schedenig 10,123]

1 hour ago, Jay said:

Yes, it's been performed that way for years now. Can read about it any of the concert threads from the last few years where it was played.

 

It's amazing they keep playing it. Even if Williams himself doesn't care, somebody else must be fed up with it. It's a shit arrangement.

[Jurassic Shark 14,944]

59 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

Newman's anecdotes and descriptions tend to ramble on anyway.

 

Well, there was this one:

 

There shall, in that time, be rumors of things going astray, erm, and there shall be a great confusion as to where things really are, and nobody will really know where lieth those little things wi-- with the sort of raffia work base that has an attachment. At this time, a friend shall lose his friend's hammer and the young shall not know where lieth the things possessed by their fathers that their fathers put there only just the night before, about eight o'clock. Yea, it is written in the book of Cyril that, in that time, shall the third one...

[Tom 5,591]

2 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

Newman's anecdotes and descriptions tend to ramble on anyway.