BPO kicks off 2025 with dynamic group of guest artists

Following their annual holiday concerts last month, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra resume their 90th anniversary concert season this week, kicking off the new year with a star-studded lineup of guest artists from within and beyond the orchestral world. This month's concerts set the stage for the many upcoming events audiences can anticipate in the second half of their season, presenting a variety of music for all to enjoy at Kleinhans Music Hall. 

In a celebration of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart this Friday and Saturday, JoAnn Falletta and the orchestra are joined by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and Western New York-based vocalists Andrea Bickford, Lynne McMurtry, Jordan Pitts, and Valerian Ruminski  for Mozart's Requiem. The work, especially famous for its "Lacrimosa" commonly used in film  and TV (Peaky Blinders, The Crown, Hunter x Hunter), is complemented by the overture to  opera Don Giovanni and BPO Principal Hornist Jacek Muzyk's performance of Mozart's second  horn concerto. This all-Mozart program not only appeals to fans of the composer, but also serves  as an accessible introduction for those looking to explore classical music this year. 

The following weekend, acclaimed conductor Keith Lockhart leads the orchestra in a program of 20th-century music: Ferde Grofé's Grand Canyon Suite, two works by female composer Germaine Tailleferre, and Ravel's beloved Piano Concerto in G, performed by young virtuoso Clayton Stephenson in his BPO debut. As conductor of the renowned Boston Pops for 30 years, Lockhart has led countless performances including at the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and World 

Series, and brings the same excitement and energy in his return to Buffalo. Guest pianist Stephenson will lead a piano masterclass for Western New York piano students on January 23 at 7pm in Kleinhans' Mary Seaton Room, free and open to the public with a reservation.

The month's concerts culminate on Friday, January 31 when Jason Scheff, former frontman of iconic band Chicago, takes center stage with the BPO. This concert is a unique opportunity to experience Chicago's greatest hits backed by full orchestra. BPO musicians will cover the band's signature horn parts with the added depth of strings, winds, and percussion for audiences to hear their iconic songs in a new and enhanced way. 

For a complete list of concerts, visit bpo.org/events. Tickets can be purchased online at bpo.org, in-person at the Box Office in Kleinhans Music Hall, or by calling (716) 885-5000