JoAnn Falletta’s newest recording of works by the extraordinary French composer Florent Schmitt with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is now available as a Naxos Key Release for November, just as the music world marks the composer’s 150th birthday. The album Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé – Musique sur l’eau (Naxos 8.574138) features the GRAMMY® Award-winning team performing the symphonic poem La Tragédie de Salomé, Oriane et le Prince d’Amour Suite, Op. 83 and world premiere recordings of the exquisite Musique sur l’eau featuring mezzo-soprano Susan Platts, and Légende in its version for violin and orchestra, marking BPO concertmaster Nikki Chooi’s Naxos recording debut.

Falletta, who has a world-wide reputation for exploring untrodden musical paths and bringing unknown or little-known works to life, calls Schmitt “The most important French composer you might never have heard of” and praises his style as “startlingly beautiful – passionate, brooding, extravagant and wild!” A student of Massenet and Fauré, and winner of the coveted Prix de Rome, Schmitt’s impressionistic style blends influences ranging from Debussy to Wagner, with reference to Stravinsky and other contemporaries.

In describing the music on this recording, Falletta says “Florent Schmitt seemed fascinated by strong women of questionable virtue, and his The Tragedy of Salome is a masterful retelling of the exotic beauty who dances for Herod and demands the head of John the Baptist as her reward. A stunning moment in the piece which was conceived as a ballet but revised as a symphonic poem is the wordless singing of Salome and her young handmaidens, beautifully realized by mezzo-soprano Susan Platts and the Women’s Choir of Buffalo.

This is passionate and seductive music at its best, and Schmitt creates a landscape that is both sensuous and dangerous. He takes a similar approach with the insatiable Oriane, and the alternation of gorgeous love music and wild orgiastic dances is absolutely thrilling. Susan Platts is also featured in one of the most beautiful orchestral songs ever composed – Musique sur l’eau, a jewel of a composition that rivals the greatest works in that genre. Violinist Nikki Chooi is the radiant soloist in Légende, a brooding and ecstatic rhapsody never before heard in Schmitt’s version for violin and orchestra.”

This is the second album of music of Schmitt by Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic. The first, Schmitt: Antoine et Cléopâtre Suites Nos. 1 and 2 / Le Palais Hanté (Naxos 8.573521) received 5 stars from Pizzicato and Classical Music Magazine, was a Music Web International Recording of the Month, and was hailed by Fanfare Magazine saying “Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic prove to be a winning combination. She paces the music perfectly… and the orchestral textures are warmly and clearly reproduced.”

Grammy-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta serves as Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Connie and Marc Jacobson Music Director Laureate of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the Brevard Music Center and Artistic Adviser to the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra. As Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic, Falletta became the first woman to lead a major America ensemble. Her recent and upcoming North American guest conducting includes the National Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, and Milwaukee Symphony; and further north, the Toronto Symphony and Orchestre Métropolitain. Internationally, she has conducted many of the most prominent orchestras in Europe, Asia and South America. With a discography of almost 120 titles, Falletta is a leading recording artist for Naxos. In 2019, she won her first individual Grammy Award as conductor of the London Symphony in the Best Classical Compendium category for Spiritualist, her fifth world premiere recording of the music of Kenneth Fuchs. Her Naxos recording of Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan received two Grammys in 2008. Recent releases by the BPO for Naxos include the highly acclaimed world premiere recording of Richard Danielpour’s The Passion of Yeshua. Gramophone praised the recording saying “JoAnn Falletta is a forceful champion of the score, which she shapes with sensitive and potent authority” and Records International calls it a “work of glowing spirituality.”

Susan Platts brings a uniquely rich and wide-ranging voice to the concert and recital repertoire and is particularly esteemed for her performances of Mahler’s works. Her previous Naxos recordings include a disc with JoAnn Falletta and the Virginia Arts Festival Chamber Players of Mahler songs arranged by Schoenberg. She is a Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative Fellow, which gave her the opportunity to study with Jessye Norman. Platts has performed with, among others, The Philadelphia, Cleveland and Minnesota Orchestras, Orchestre de Paris and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Canadian violinist Nikki Chooi has established himself as an artist of rare versatility. Described as “vigorous, colorful” by the New York Times, he has appeared at Chicago’s Harris Theatre, Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, New York’s Carnegie Hall, as well as on nationwide tours with Musicians from Marlboro. He has performed as soloist with orchestras including the Montréal Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the St. Petersburg State Orchestra, National Orchestra of Belgium, Malaysian Philharmonic and Hong Kong Philharmonic. Chooi is concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and previously served as concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

To purchase this and other BPO recordings, click here.

Click below to listen to a sound sample of La Tragédie de Salomé – Symphonic Poem, Op. 50 – Track 1 excerpt.

Click here to watch JoAnn Falletta discuss the orchestral music of Schmitt.

Click here to watch JoAnn Falletta discuss the 150th birthday of Schmitt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:       Patrick O’Herron, Director of Marketing, poherron@bpo.org
WEBSITE:        www.bpo.org
FACEBOOK:    Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
TWITTER:        @BPOrchestra  
INSTAGRAM:  @buffalophilharmonicorchestra
IMAGES:          bpo.org/image-archive

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra presents September Sessions, a FREE 3-part video performance mini-fest to welcome in the 2020-21 concert season

BUFFALO, NY — Lovers of classical music will rejoice as the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes in the 2020-21 concert season with September Sessions, a free 3-part video performance mini-fest. The series features solo and small ensemble performances by BPO musicians, all of whom perform in Kleinhans Music Hall adhering to new social distancing and safety protocols. Musicians will add insight on each piece performed, including the history of the piece and its composer, and the reasons each of the ensembles chose to share the work with the Western New York community. Each “Session” will premiere at 9.a.m. on Sept. 11, 12 and 13, and will be available for a limited time to stream on-demand at bpo.org via computer or mobile device. September Sessions serves as a prelude to the BPO’s previously announced BPOnDemand video-streamed series. The orchestra has pivoted to BPOnDemand for its fall and holiday programs as it awaits guidelines from New York State on the reopening of Kleinhans for live performances.

“I am so thrilled that our musicians have put together these beautiful performances as a gift for the Western New York community, which has been so supportive of the orchestra during this time,” commented JoAnn Falletta, music director. “While nothing can replace the live concert experience, we have worked with our audio and video experts to present the next best option. These video-streamed September Sessions bring the acoustic splendor of Kleinhans right to the homes of our patrons, providing an up-close-and-personal perspective on the concert experience with our incredible musicians.”

“It’s been exciting for my fellow musicians and I return to Kleinhans,” said BPO oboist Joshua Lauretig. BPO musicians have been on performance hiatus since the 2019-20 concert season was abruptly cut short in March due to the pandemic. “The September Sessions have allowed us to explore some fantastic repertoire we wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to perform together. While so many orchestras have canceled all or part of their forthcoming seasons, we are so grateful to be able to continue working and performing for all of our fans in Buffalo and beyond.”

The September Sessions broadcast schedule and repertoire is as follows:

SESSION 1
Premiering Fri. Sept. 11, 9 a.m.

HAYDN  London Trio No. 1
Joshua Lauretig, oboe
Xiaofan Liu, violin
Roman Mekinulov, cello

TELEMANN  Viola Concerto
BPO string ensemble
Caroline Gilbert, viola
JoAnn Falletta, conductor

DVOŘÁK  American Quartet
Nikki Chooi, violin
Amy Glidden, violin
Antoine Lefebvre, violin
Roman Mekinulov, cello

SESSION 2
Premiering Sat. Sept. 12, 9 a.m.

HOLST  St. Paul’s Suite
BPO string ensemble
Jaman E. Dunn, conductor

VLADIMIR DYCK  Kadisch
MENDELSSOHN  Song Without Words
Robbie Hausmann, cello
Alfred Frenning, piano

PHILIDOR March for Two Pairs of Kettledrums
Matthew Bassett, timpani
Dinesh Joseph, timpani

HANDEL-HALVORSEN  Passacaglia
Amy Glidden, violin
Kate Holzemer, viola

SESSION 3
Premiering Sun. Sept. 13, 9 a.m.

HANDEL  Trio Sonata No. 2 in D minor
Joshua Lauretig, oboe
Anna Mattix, oboe
Glenn Einschlag, bassoon

KUMMER  Duet Op. 22
Amelie Fradette, cello
David Schmude, cello

ANTHONY DILORENZO  Firedance
BRAHMS  Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen
Alex Jokipii, trumpet
Geoffrey Hardcastle, trumpet
Jacek Muzyk, French horn
Jonathan Lombardo, trombone
Filipe Pereira, bass trombone

BACH  Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor
BPO string ensemble
Amy Glidden, violin
JoAnn Falletta, conductor

Major support for September Sessions is provided by M&T Bank, Erie County, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

Subscriptions to the 2020-2021 concert season and individual tickets to the BPOnDemand series are on sale now. Patrons are encouraged to join the BPO e-mail list at bpo.org to receive the latest performance and event updates, and to call the Box Office at (716) 885-5000 with any questions. Please note that the Box Office is working remotely during this time, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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ABOUT BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. provides a resident, professional, major symphony orchestra of artistic excellence and integrity to enrich the quality of life in Western New York through the presentation of live symphonic music and other musical events that educate and entertain the broadest possible audiences within and beyond the Western New York region. Since its founding in 1935, the BPO has served as Buffalo’s cultural ambassador. JoAnn Falletta is the Music Director of the Grammy® Award-winning orchestra, which presents more than 120 Classics, Pops, Rock, Kids and Youth concerts each year for over 200,000 people. For more information, visit bpo.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:       Patrick O’Herron, Director of Marketing, poherron@bpo.org
WEBSITE:        www.bpo.org
FACEBOOK:    Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
TWITTER:        @BPOrchestra  
INSTAGRAM:  @buffalophilharmonicorchestra
IMAGES:          bpo.org/image-archive

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra pivots to video-streamed concerts for 2020-21 fall and holiday programs

Revised M&T Bank Classics and BPO Pops programs to be broadcast from Kleinhans Music Hall on Saturday evenings September through December

BUFFALO, NY — As Buffalonians join the rest of the world in adjusting to the new normal brought by the pandemic, so too must the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Devoted to the mission of presenting symphonic music for the entire Western New York community, no matter the circumstances, today the BPO announces new plans for video-streamed concerts in lieu of live concerts, since audiences are not yet allowed in Kleinhans Music Hall per New York Forward guidelines.

The new video-streamed performance series, BPOnDemand, will use state-of-the-art audio and video recording technology bringing the magical acoustics of Kleinhans into the living room of patrons via their home computer or mobile device. The series will be broadcast on Saturdays at 8 p.m. and available on-demand for a limited time thereafter. BPOnDemand performances will be made available to all current subscribers for free, as well as those patrons near and far who wish to purchase a virtual ticket on a concert-by-concert basis.

Revisions to the 2020-21 season repertoire announced this past January have been necessary in order to accommodate an orchestra of socially-distanced size. Previously announced guest artists will be re-engaged later in the 2020-21 season or in future seasons. M&T Bank Classics series headliner Renee Fleming has expressed sincere disappointment that she will not be able to perform for Buffalo audiences this season but has graciously committed to a performance on the 2021-22 season.

The BPOnDemand video-streamed performance series serves not only as an outlet for lovers of symphonic music to once again enjoy the concert experience in a new and inventive way, but also helps to ensure that the 73 full-time musicians of the BPO remain employed.

“Working with our audio and video experts, we are certain that we will be able to present the next best option to live performances—streamed video performances that make use of the magical acoustics of Kleinhans and also provide a rarely seen up-close-and-personal perspective on the concert experience with our incredible musicians,” commented JoAnn Falletta, music director, “but the musicians and I still hold hope that we will be able to perform for live audiences soon.”

 

The revised schedule for the BPO’s 2020-21 M&T Bank Classics fall and holiday concert programming with Music Director JoAnn Falletta is as follows:

A Celebration of the Seasons
Streaming Sat. Sep. 26, 8 p.m.
A theme of joyful rebirth takes center stage as JoAnn Falletta conducts the opening of the BPO season. Copland’s Appalachian Spring, an enduring portrait of the American landscape, and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, an exquisite musical narrative of nature’s seasons played by concertmaster Nikki Chooi and set to a visual display of Vivaldi’s poetry, are paired with a contemporary work, Starburst by Jessie Montgomery, a past finalist of the national Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latinx classical string players.

Love & Longing
Streaming Sat. Oct. 10, 8 p.m.
Two works originally composed for keyboard and later transcribed for orchestra, Bach’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in D is a virtuosic display of technique and interpretation played by principal pianist for the New York Philharmonic, Eric Huebner, while Grieg’s Holberg Suite invokes dancing rhythms. Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds, Op. 44 in D was composed in only two weeks, capturing the lyrical and lively flavor of his native Bohemia. JoAnn Falletta conducts.

Tartan & Tango
Streaming Sat. Oct. 24, 8 p.m.
Intoxicating Spanish rhythms highlight the performance by hometown favorite, guitarist Jason Vieaux, in this program conducted by JoAnn Falletta featuring two tangos from Argentinean master Astor Piazzolla: Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) and Libertango. Combined with Puccini’s Crisantemi, a poignant and dramatic elegy for a fallen friend, and the beauty and yearning for the Highlands in Bantock’s Celtic Symphony, this program expresses a full range of emotion.

A String Serenade
Streaming Sat. Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
As the first African American to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music (1996), it is fitting that George Walker’s Lyric for Strings is included on a program of works brimming with inspiration. Mozart’s Wind Serenade No. 11 K. 375 is pleasingly playful yet heartfelt, Handel’s Harp Concerto No. 6, played by principal harpist Madeline Olson, lends the harp a delicate magic, and Bach’s Air is celestial with the instantly-recognizable second movement of his Baroque masterpiece. JoAnn Falletta conducts.

Bach, Beethoven & Beyond
Streaming Sat. Nov. 21, 8 p.m.
Two early 20th century composers have grand masters to thank in this classic program conducted by JoAnn Falletta. Beethoven’s Septet led to increased early fame for the young composer. The extraordinary and familiar Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by J.S. Bach was an inspiration for Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks, and Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No. 3 was influenced by Baroque-era Italian works.

Baroque Fireworks
Streaming Sat. Dec. 5, 8 p.m.
Baroque takes center stage as JoAnn Falletta conducts Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks with its iconic and lavish score, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, and Marcello’s Oboe Concerto in C minor played by principal oboist Henry Ward, which echoes the lyricism of an aria. Your BPO brass plays an exciting work by the influential 16th century organist Giovanni Gabrieli, and Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, a delicate musical love letter to his new wife on her Christmas birthday, complete this Baroque program.

JoAnn’s Classical Christmas
Streaming Sat. Dec. 12, 8 p.m.
BPO musicians highlight our annual offering when Sal Andolina presents a special saxophone rendition of holiday favorites, and the BPO Brass shine in Darin Kelly’s Of Nights and Lights, a sparkling Hanukkah composition. Perennial classics including selections from Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, Respighi’s “The Adoration of the Magi,” Vaughan-Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves, and more bring the spirit of the season to life.

 

The revised schedule for the 2020-21 BPO Pops fall and holiday concert programming with Principal Pops Conductor John Morris Russell is as follows:

Broadway to Buffalo
Streaming Sat. Oct. 3, 8 p.m.
The Pops season opens with the new generation of Broadway stars along with Buffalo’s Second Generation Theatre Company, as Principal Pops Conductor John Morris Russell conducts beloved musical theatre favorites including classics from Rogers and Hammerstein, Bernstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber to Kander and Ebb, Schwartz and Miranda. An evening of song and celebration!

That Studio Sound: Jazz Classics for Lovers
Streaming Sat. Oct. 17, 8 p.m.
From the famed recording studios at Capitol Records in Los Angeles, arranger Nelson Riddle and the biggest singing sensations of the era created a body of work that defines the cool sophistication of popular jazz in the 1950s and 60s. The BPO brings arrangements of classics by Gershwin, Porter and Jobim, recorded by the likes of Frank, Nat, and Ella, back to life in all their original splendor with Buffalo crooners Katy Miner and Chris Vasquez. A romantic evening of sultry swing

Simply Bewitching
Streaming Sat. Oct. 31, 8 p.m.
From Hollywood horror, chilling orchestral classics and creepy musical tales, you’ll be spellbound by the magic of your BPO. Music from Psycho, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and autumnal favorites weave together an enchanted night of thrills and chills.

A Brass Act
Streaming Sat. Nov. 14, 8 p.m.
Thrill to the power and majesty of the BPO Brass as they perform popular classics, from splendid fanfares and marches, to ragtime and jazz. A jamboree of musical styles from the world over that will be glorious, tuneful, irreverent, and fun. You won’t want to miss a beat!

John Morris Russell’s Holiday Pops
Streaming Sat. Dec. 19, 8 p.m.
Celebrate the holidays with “Mr. Christmas” himself, Maestro John Morris Russell, with festive Pops favorites from your BPO! It’s Western New York’s most celebrated holiday tradition with an eclectic variety of seasonal music from popular song, film, musical theatre, gospel and jazz. As heartwarming as it is fun, it’s a concert for everyone, featuring guest appearances by soulful Buffalo singers Zoe Scruggs and George Brown and maybe even the “man with the bag” himself… if you’re nice!

All artists and repertoire are subject to change. Further details about all programs on the 2020-2021 concert season can be found at bpo.org. 

 

Performances scheduled January through June of 2021 remain as scheduled for the time being, though Music Director JoAnn Falletta, Principal Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, and the BPO leadership team are closely monitoring the ever-evolving pandemic situation and are actively working on alternative programs that will meet social distancing guidelines.

Current subscribers to the 2020-21 season who have tickets for concerts that fall within the September through December timeframe will automatically have their tickets converted to a FLEX pass, to be redeemed at the subscriber’s leisure for a concert later in the season when the BPO hopes to once again be able to host live audiences. All subscribers will be contacted by the Box Office staff over the coming weeks to discuss their preferred BPO experience this season. Subscribers are encouraged to await contact from the BPO, but those with urgent questions may call the Box Office at (716) 885-5000.

Subscriptions for the 2020-21 concert season are still on sale now including the incredibly flexible FLEX Pack option, which allows patrons to secure the benefits of a subscription now and choose concert preferences later. Your subscription will give you access to the BPOnDemand video-streamed performance series, plus tickets for live concerts when they resume and other subscriber benefits, including easy ticket exchanges.

Single tickets for the BPOnDemand series will be available for purchase beginning September 1, 2020. Tickets for live performances later in the season will be made available at a later date. Patrons are encouraged to sign up at bpo.org to receive the latest updates via the BPO e-mail list, and to call the Box Office at (716) 885-5000 with any questions. Please note that the Box Office is working remotely during this time, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Major corporate support for the BPO is provided by M&T Bank, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Calspan, Elderwood and Keybank. Government support is provided by Erie County, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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ABOUT BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. provides a resident, professional, major symphony orchestra of artistic excellence and integrity to enrich the quality of life in Western New York through the presentation of live symphonic music and other musical events that educate and entertain the broadest possible audiences within and beyond the Western New York region. Since its founding in 1935, the BPO has served as Buffalo’s cultural ambassador. JoAnn Falletta is the Music Director of the Grammy® Award-winning orchestra, which presents more than 120 Classics, Pops, Rock, Kids and Youth concerts each year for over 200,000 people. For more information, visit bpo.org.