Some of the best classical concerts you can take your entire family to see are the classical concerts during the summer season, where warm weather invites orchestras outside to play for their guests. More often than not, concerts in these atmospheres are much more informal and relaxed. These Top 10 Classical Music Events of the Summer are sure to be real crowd pleasers, as some of them have been hosting these annual events many times over. So if you live nearby or are planning a vacation around the following places, consider dedicating one night to a classical concert!
1. Summertime Classics - The New York Philharmonic
June 28 - July 6This is Conductor Bramwell Tovey's fourth consecutive year leading the New York Philharmonic's Summertime Classics series. This year, the series features four different concerts performed twice over the week-long event: "On the Beautiful Blue Danube" featuring pianist Markus Groh, "Sounds of Summer" featuring pianist Joyce Yang, "Stars and Stripes", and "Moscow on the Hudson" featuring Kevin Kline as the narrator.
2. Festival del Sole
July 13-22What could be more satisfying than listening to classical music on a warm California evening in Napa Valley? This July marks the second annual Festival Del Sole, a ten day festival packed with world-class international musicians, celebrity chefs, and of course, fine wines and cheeses. Performances by flutists, Sir James and Lady Galway, mezzo-soprano Frederica Von Stade, and the Russian National Orchestra conducted by Stéphane Denève mark the beginning of the festival. If you're planning a vacation to California this summer, leave a few days open for this exciting festival!
3. The National Symphony Orchestra
May 12 - Aug. 4Like last year's summer series, the National Symphony Orchestra boasts an impressive line-up of summer performances. With entire performances dedicated to Tony and Academy Award winning music, video game music and "Bugs Bunny on Broadway", bringing your children and teenagers should be a piece of cake. Also performing this year are pianist Lang Lang and Sir James Galway.
4. First Tennessee Summer Festival 2007
June 15-16, 29-30, July 6-7Last year, First Tennessee hosted works by Beethoven and Mozart. This year they are performing the well-known Carmina Burana, as well as selected works from a handful of American compeers and of course, works by Bach, Mozart, and Mendelssohn. Unlike previous year's concert, this year's event will take place in a new performance hall and offer brand new food services. As quoted by their website, "Wine, dine, and enjoy great music..."
5. Ravinia Festival 2007
All SummerBring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets, as well as some shopping money. America's oldest music festival celebrates it's 103rd annual concert series. With a wide range of performances including classical, jazz, contemporary, and world music, everyone attending will surely find music sweet to their ears.
6. Tanglewood 2007
All SummerConductor/director, James Levine returns for his third time leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. Opening the festival with Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony and Mendelssohn's Overture and Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night's Dream. As well as the fabulous Boston Symphony Orchestra, you'll hear performances by the talented Emerson String Quartet, Boston Pops, Jose van Dam, and many more.
7. Aspen Music Festival and School
June 21 - Aug. 19Celebrating its 58th season, the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) explores the idea of jazz in classical music. Featured artists at the AMFS include soprano Kathleen Battle, jazz legend Wynton Marsalis, violinists Joshua Bell and Sarah Chang, and pianist Boris Berezovsky. With 350 events scheduled over nine weeks, guests can see performances ranging from opera, chamber music, orchestras, and contemporary music, as well as master classes, lectures, and children's programs.
8. Newport Music Festival
July 6-22The Newport Music Festival hosts many of its performances in the exquisite mansions of Newport, Rhode Island. Unlike large performance halls, concerts in these smaller venues are exponentially more intimate. Subtle nuances like hearing the performer breathe before each phrase give a performance an entirely different feel. This year the Newport Music Festival will present 67 concerts, or about 3-5 per day.
9. Lake Tahoe Music Festival
July 19 - Aug. 4In the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe, you'll find and hear music from Baroque to modern day rock. For this year's event, the theme will be "Season of Classics," where you will hear "Classic Beethoven, Classic Jazz, Classic Rock, Classic Broadway, and more," by renowned artists such as Frederica von Stade, David Benoit, Kenny Loggins, The David Sanborn Group, Craig Chaquico, and Franc D'Ambrosi.
10. Carmel Bach Festival
July 14 - Aug. 4The Carmel Bach festival celebrates its 70th season this year by continuing its tradition of playing works by the great Johann Sebastian Bach. With over 100 events, visitors can hear superb performances, lectures, and recitals, and have dinner too!
