Event

Exciting Musical Journey with the BPO featuring Shostakovich and Electrifying Guitar Works

Published February 3, 2024

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) presents an enthralling musical evening titled "Shostakovich & Six Strings" under the baton of guest conductor Robert Moody. The program opens with American composer Mason Bates's "Desert Transport," an evocative piece inspired by a helicopter trip over Arizona's landscape, painting sonic pictures of the vivid terrain. Bates's composition promises an engaging experience for the audience with its rich and scintillating orchestral textures.

Eclectic Guitar Concerto

The concert continues to captivate with Daron Hagen's "Film Noir: Concerto for Electric Guitar and Orchestra," featuring guitar soloist D.J. Sparr. This contemporary concerto merges the symphonic world with the electrifying timbres of rock music, including effects like wah-wah and fuzz. While the opening movement evokes the imagery of the Pacific Coast Highway, the subsequent parts take listeners through a landscape of cinematic jazz and enigmatic themes.

Shostakovich's Mastery

The highlight of the evening is Shostakovich's formidable Symphony No. 10 in E minor. This performance, featuring a grand orchestral assembly, showcases the composer's intense emotion and sophisticated orchestration, from the powerful growls of the double basses to the majestic calls of the enhanced brass section. The live concert provides an unparalleled auditory experience that no recording can truly capture.

Amid the diverse program, the BPO also hints at future concerts embracing the fusion of orchestral music with legendary rock bands, promising an exciting season ahead for music enthusiasts of all tastes.

Shostakovich, guitar, concert