JoAnn Falletta looks forward to ‘a joyful season‘

By Frank Housh
Managing Editor

The word is “nonagenarian,” and it means “a person who is 90-99 years old.” Thus, if the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra was a person she would be a nonagenarian and if it was a married couple, the traditional gift would be granite (good luck with that). By any reckoning, it is a remarkable accomplishment (ex: Willie Nelson).

The BPO is marking the occasion on Nov. 9 and 10 with its 90th Anniversary Celebration featuring the same program played at the BPO’s 1935 inaugural concert: Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture,” Debussy’s “Nocturnes” (inspired by James Whistler’s series of “Nocturne” paintings), and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 3.”

The BPO’s 90th season opens Saturday, Sept. 28, with a performance by acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell. In an interview with The Buffalo Hive, Music Director JoAnn Falletta said that although Bell has been performing at the highest levels for four decades (Bell made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1985 at age 17) “he throws himself into each performance. He is always completely invested.”

The Sept. 28 opening also includes a performance of Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” and the world premiere of Daron Hagen’s “City of Light,” described as “a tone poem inspired by the thrum of electric energy and the thrill of illumination.” Hagen’s tone poem was commissioned by the BPO to commemorate JoAnn Falletta’s 25-year tenure with the BPO.

Other highlights include October 11 and 13 (Kleinhans is closed Saturday, Oct. 12, in honor of Yom Kippur) performances of “Gershwin & Respighi,” featuring Joyce Yang debuting the BPO’s brand new Steinway with a performance of Gershwin’s “Concerto in F Major for Piano and Orchestra.”

As the leaves turn, Kleinhans will see Oct. 18’s annual Gospel Symphony Celebration and Nov. 22 and 23 performances of Beethoven’s “Eroica Symphony (No. 3),” famously dedicated (then undedicated) to Napoleon.

December means Christmas, including The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert, Neglia Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” and JoAnn’s Classical Christmas.

The 2024-25 Pops Series brings the Beatles-themed Classical Mystery Tour Oct. 4 and 5, followed by Pink Martini with China Forbes on Oct. 19, and concluding 2024 with the Yuletide Holiday Pops.

That’s a lot, and we haven’t even turned the calendar. 2025 includes Mozart’s “Requiem” Jan. 17 and 18, the Tchaikovsky Festival Feb. 7 and 8 followed by additional performances Feb. 21 and 22.

As spring approaches, the BPO and SUNY Fredonia’s Hillman Opera Program will perform La Traviata March 1 and 2.

The Buffalo Hive will feature more about the BPO’s 2025 offerings as the new year approaches.

The upcoming BPO season promises great things.

Jo Ann Falletta is enthusiastic about her 25th season at the helm. She said, “It’s going to be a joyful season. I want people to be uplifted by what they have heard.”

Note from the editor-in-chief: The Hive will be covering the BPO all season, including regular, insightful reviews by our managing editor, Frank Housh. Frank is a classically trained musician and veteran music critic who has been covering classical music in Western New York for over a decade.