BPO announces its 90th season: a world of unforgettable performances awaits you in 2024-2025

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (also known as the BPO) recently announced its 2024/2025 season, which features new works, timeless classics, pop and rock programming, holiday favorites and unparalleled performances, and subscriptions Subscriptions are now available. All single tickets will go on sale on July 13!

Their unmatched programming and commitment to bringing the most interesting, varied and diverse programs to Buffalo audiences could not be more evident during the 2024/2025 season. In fact, in a previous interview, outstanding cellist Julian Schwarz spoke about BPO programming on the WNY Sound Stage podcast and said, “In this day and age, where a lot of programming is driven by what other people are doing … Orchestras look and say, “Oh, what are they doing?” What do they do and how can we compare them? “It really takes a lot of courage for an orchestra or an artistic vision to be independent of these types of pressures…and we have an opportunity and I don’t want anyone to take that for granted, you know, because it really is important.

A fantastic way to take advantage of everything BPO has to offer is to purchase a season pass. Subscribers receive 15% off select packages with 5 performances or 20% off packages of 7 or more concerts. They also get a 10% discount on additional tickets all season. Subscribers also enjoy exclusive benefits such as easy ticket exchanges, early access to tickets and invitations to special events.

Travis Estes, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, adds:

Highlights from the Classics 24-25 series

The Classics Series begins September 28 with a performance by one of today’s most revered virtuosos: Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell.

This opening night program also includes the world premiere of a work by contemporary composer and frequent BPO collaborator Daron Hagen. Titled City of Light, the piece was commissioned by JoAnn Falletta and the BPO, bringing another composition to the orchestral repertoire thanks to a gift from Scott Bieler of West Herr in honor of Falletta’s 25th anniversary with the BPO. The work is celebratory, highlighting Buffalo’s role in electrification at the turn of the 20th century.

The Classics Package also includes guaranteed access to incredible musical events, including Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, “The Great,” La Traviata and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 6.

On November 9 and 10, in honor of the orchestra’s 90th anniversary, Falletta programmed the same pieces performed at the BPO’s first concert on November 7, 1935, including works by Beethoven, Brahms and Debussy. The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, founded in 1937 as the Buffalo Schola Cantorum, will join the orchestra to further celebrate decades of stellar performances together and their shared heritage of classical music in Buffalo.

BPO Concertmaster Nikki Chooi will take center stage not only in JoAnn’s Classic Christmas for “Winter” from Vivaldi and Piazzolla’s Four Seasons (December 13-14), but also on April 11 and 13, 2025 for a violin concerto written by the contemporary composer Behzad. Ranjbaran.

In February 2025, a two-weekend festival celebrates the beloved compositions of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The Tchaikovsky Festival will be led by Falletta with renowned guest artists Sheng Cai (piano) and Marcin Zdunik (cello).

On March 29 and 30, Grand Island native and New York Philharmonic director Malcolm Merriweather will conduct the Grammy-nominated Sanctuary Road, written by Buffalo-born composer Paul Moravec. Highlighting Buffalo’s role as the final stop on the Underground Railroad, this important work will be complemented by Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations, one of Merriweather’s inspirations.

The very popular Rock series is back. Many people don’t associate rock music with an orchestra, but attending one of these events would change that forever.

Enjoy the timeless Beatles melodies on the Classical Mystery Tour and get ready to sing along to your favorite Fab Four songs. If you’re a classic rock enthusiast or a ballad aficionado, Rock Hits & Power Ballads will bring you an exhilarating lineup of anthems and power ballads. BPO will rock you to The Music of Queen, and you will leave like a champion. This series also includes Chicago Nights with Jason Scheff and Tina Symphonic: The Music of Tina Turner.

Mandy Gonzalez: Broadway Today launches Pops series, bringing together Broadway star Hamilton, in the heightsAnd Wicked in the Queen City. Symphonic Showdown: The Wild West in Concert, is a thrilling ride through the music that defined the Wild West in popular culture. The Pops series also includes Ryan Shaw: Masters of R&B and Patriotic Pops. And what Christmas celebration would be complete without the return of Holiday Pops, an event that is always sold out.

24-25 Highlights Pop/Rock/Film/Specials

Opening the season on September 21, Broadway singer Mandy Gonzalez – known for her roles in Hamilton, In the Heights and Wicked – will perform a program of Broadway favorites, including a song Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote for her. The second annual Encanto Hispano Festival, a free celebration of Hispanic culture with local musicians and vendors, will take place earlier today at Kleinhans Music Hall in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Continuing another recent tradition, the orchestra’s second annual Gospel Symphony celebration concert on October 18 will welcome Grammy Award-winning Gospel legend Dorinda Clark-Cole, who will perform with Buffalo United Community Choir, a group of singers from more than 52 local churches and organizations, and returning conductor Dr. Henry Panion, III.

The BPO Christmas festivities begin with Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in concert on November 1 and Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in concert on November 30. Western New York’s favorite holiday tradition, Holiday Pops, returns December 19-22, with a special festival. thematic show on December 10 by Troupe Vertigo, known for its breathtaking mix of circus, dance and theater.

In their annual series fusing rock music and orchestra, the BPO Rock Series 2024-25, sponsored by the Yurtchuk Foundation, features powerful tribute acts performing The Music of Queen (November 15) and The Music of Tina Turner (March 7, 2025 ). Additionally, Chicago frontman Jason Scheff will join the orchestra on January 31, 2025 for an evening of hits from the legendary band.

In addition to these concerts, which can be purchased as part of a subscription or individually, the BPO also presents A Gospel Symphony Celebration with Lady Tramaine Hawkins, BPO Little Kids, where little ones can learn about music and instruments, the perfect way to dance during the holiday season, The JingleBell Jam and much more.

And for those who have never attended Kleinhans Music Hall and might be curious, know that you are welcome.

JoAnn Falletta, Music Director, shared her experience participating in BPO on the WNY Sound Stage podcast and said:

“It’s a physical experience… You know, people come to the concert to sit down at 7:30 p.m. Maybe a little distracted, maybe a little, you know, tired from the day, or even struggling with some issues that they have. They sit there feeling a certain way, and somehow, without them knowing it and without any of us knowing exactly how it happens, they change. They change and when they leave…it’s like all that has been taken away. I mean they went to a different place. We can’t really express it in words, but I think that’s why people come to concerts. Because you go in a way like “an island of reason”. (Music is) something that moves you in a way that you will never have to explain. You don’t even need to talk about it. And it’s a gift. It’s a gift for everyone. And I just wish more people would come and know that this is all for them, just for them, to kind of bring them to some kind of special, quiet place.

For those interested in purchasing a membership or single ticket to any of the events listed, please visit the BPO website.