“In classical music, 2013 will go down as the year the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra returned to Carnegie Hall—and took the whole city along,” writes Mary Kunz Goldman in Thursday’s (12/26) Buffalo News. “At least that is what it felt like. The concert, part of Carnegie Hall’s Spring For Music Festival, broke records for hometown attendance. Thousands more Buffalonians listened to the concert on the radio…. The orchestra pulled off a massive, complicated symphony by Russian composer Reinhold Gliere…. The Gliere Society got involved, and the late composer’s relatives in Russia tuned in. On the home front, the story … shows the city spirit that embraces our classical music scene. It’s the reason we have more choruses and community orchestras than other towns, and it is one reason the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is doing well…. The BPO’s endowment goes a long way toward securing its financial future. But community goodwill is another factor. BPO Music Director JoAnn Falletta goes the distance to reach out to audiences. While the orchestra’s programming is creative and adventurous, it keeps the public’s wishes in mind. There is cooperation among musicians, board and management. Institutions in Buffalo work together.… All of these factors helped make 2013 a very good year.”
Posted January 3, 2014
