A colorful concerto commissioned by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is in the running for a Latin Grammy award.
Miguel del Aguila’s “Concierto en Tango,” released last fall on the BPO’s Beau Fleuve label on a CD called “Built For Buffalo,” was among the pieces nominated for Best Classical Contemporary Composition. The piece was premiered by the BPO in May 2014 in a performance conducted by BPO Music Director JoAnn Falletta and featuring Roman Mekinulov, the orchestra’s principal cellist.
Reviewing the premiere performance, The News commented on the prolonged, passionate applause. “The big crowd of listeners, almost all of them on their feet, cheered and cheered.”
The Buffalo crowd was not alone in its admiration of the piece. Since its premiere, the “Concierto en Tango” has caught on in other cities. It was performed most recently in July by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, as part of the opening festivities of the Pan American Games.
This is the third time Del Aguila’s work has been nominated. The Latin Grammy award ceremony will be broadcast live from Las Vegas on Nov. 19.