Classical Notes & More: Your Buffalo Music Guide for May 19-25

By Aidan Carney
(Image above: Courtesy Buffalo Philharmonic)

Get ready, Buffalo music lovers! While some of our dedicated classical venues are taking a breather this week, there are still some fantastic classical and classical-adjacent sounds around town. Whether you’re in the mood for stirring patriotic tunes, intimate string performances, or unique genre blends, here’s what’s on the radar for the week of May 20 through May 26, 2025.

Kicking Off the Week:

Buffalo Chamber Players “Take Five””

When: Wednesday, May 21.
Where: At Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo

“Take Five” features works written for five players and will feature works by Mary Kouyoumdjian (“Bombs of Beirut”), Florence Price (“Piano Quintet in A minor”) and Mozart (“Adagio and Fugue in c minor, K.546). Doors at 7 p.m., music at 7:30.

The Buzz: Some of Buffalo’s finest players will take on a truly diverse program of music

Patriotic Pops for Memorial Day Weekend with the BPO:

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra offers a rousing start to the Memorial Day weekend with their beloved “Patriotic Pops” concert, a perfect family-friendly outing.

When: Friday, May 23rd, 10:30 AM | Saturday, May 24th, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo

The Buzz: Join the BPO for a morning of stirring American anthems and beloved songs that honor the nation’s defenders. Conducted by Ron Spigelman, the orchestra will present a program of over a dozen songs, including pieces from George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, George M. Cohan, John Williams and even an arrangement of “Route 66.”

A Weekend Full of Diverse Sounds at Duende:

Duende at Silo City is a hotspot this Saturday (May 24) and Sunday (May 25), offering a diverse lineup that will appeal to those with broad musical tastes, including:

Violin Duo: Shannon Reilly and Sarah Ng, Saturday, 1-2 p.m.
The Buzz: Experience the beauty and intimacy of a violin duo performance. This is a great opportunity to hear classical string music in a unique setting.

The Robert Zimmerman Philharmonic, Saturday, 5-7 p.m.
The Buzz: Don’t let the “Philharmonic” in the name fool you into expecting Beethoven! This is a tribute to Bob Dylan. While not classical, it’s certainly “classical-adjacent” in its fun, titular way and promises a good time.

John Bacon Jazz, Sunday, 4-6 p.m.
The Buzz: Wind down your weekend with some sophisticated jazz. John Bacon is a respected name in the Buffalo jazz scene, and this performance offers a taste of improvisational artistry often appreciated by classical music fans.

Enjoy the music this week, Buffalo!