BSO To Honor Ozawa With New Tanglewood Medal

Saturday is opening night for the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, and a milestone anniversary is being celebrated.

For 75 years the BSO has summered on Tanglewood's lush, green campus in Lenox.

As part of Saturday night's star-studded concert and party, the first Tanglewood medal will be awarded to music director laureate Seiji Ozawa. He’s being honored for his years of commitment to the organization and the world of classical music.

Ozawa, who left Boston 10 years ago, won't be at Tanglewood, though, because he's in Japan recovering from cancer.

But BSO managing director Mark Volpe said Ozawa will appear via a video message instead.

“Complete in his Red Sox uniform!” Volpe described with a laugh. “He was so happy, and he still has his house close to Tanglewood, and very much hopes to come back next year.”

Volpe said the orchestra hopes to see Ozawa next summer, too.

The 76-year-old conductor laureate lead the orchestra for 29 years, making him the longest-serving music director in BSO history.