Nelsons conducts BSO and Joshua Bell at Tanglewood, Aug. 2, 2026

By Dave Read, Aug. 2, 2026 performance – The Tanglewood audience was treated last weekend to two rising stars in the constellation of violin soloists, Augustan Hadelich and Himari; center stage today belonged to virtuoso Joshua Bell, who has been the delight of Tanglewood audiences since 1989.

This was a repeat of Bell’s 2011 performance of the Fantasia on Scottish folk melodies for violin by Max Bruch. It’s no wonder a musician of Bell’s stature would enjoy performing a composition that puts the full gamut of his skill and artistry on display. Also featuring on the piece was the playing of the Boston Symphony’s principal harpist, Jessica Zhou.

For an encore, the audience was treated to Mr. Bell’s improvisation on Souvenirs d’Amerique, by Henri Vieuxtemps.

Following intermission, Maestro Nelsons led the orchestra in Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 3 in B flat. Along with an introductory piece called Mamoris by Sarah Kirkland Snider, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon of musical excellence emanate from the Koussevitzky Music Shed on the stately yet bucolic campus in the Berkshires.

For Tanglewood tickets and other information, please visit the website of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Here is information on how to get to the Berkshires.