PRESS RELEASE: BPO presents FREE September Sessions video performance mini-fest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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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.