Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Releases New Recording, Featuring Kleinhan Concerts

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and music is a major part of the celebration.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is not only offering four chances to experience the joy and magic of the holidays in concert, but has released its first holiday recording in more than a decade.

"Sounds of the Season" was recorded at last year's Classical Christmas concert, led by BPO Music Director JoAnn Falletta. With 18 tracks of music by artists ranging from Bach to Leroy Anderson, it's a delightful mix of centuries of musical Christmas tradition. BPO concertmaster Dennis Kim is featured on "Winter" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. BPO tenor saxophone Sal Andolina is on the spotlight on "I'll be Home For Christmas." Released on the orchestra's own Beau Fleuve label, the disc is available for purchase online at bpo.org or by visiting the BPO box office or the table during concerts.

The concerts begin on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. with Cirque Musica's Holiday Spectacular. A cast of veteran circus performers, a flying violinist, and a high-energy emcee join the Buffalo Philharmonic to perform a thrilling show to a wonderful variety of holiday musical favorites. When Cirque Musica performed with the BPO in 2014, the show received an excellent review and played to a full house. Family four-packs are available for $129 at bpo.org using code THRILL. It's the perfect chance to share an offbeat holiday experience with the entire family.

On Dec. 9 and 10, Stefan Sanders leads Classical Christmas on the M&T Bank Classic Series. The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus joins the orchestra for a concert of holiday music spanning the Baroque era of Bach's Christmas Oratorio to the modern day, with Eric Whitacre's "Winter," which features Buffalo-based multi-instrumentalist Naryan Padmanabha on sitar. Batavia native and frequent BPO guest performer Emily Helenbrook sings the soprano part in the Christmas Oratorio. Boy soprano Ayden Herreid and Rochester-based baritone Mitchell Hutchings make their BPO debuts on the same work. The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus will also perform. Complimentary coffee and donuts are available at 9 a.m.prior to the Friday morning performance. The Coffee Concert Series is presented by Elderwood. Saturday's concert is sponsored by The Buffalo News.

Sanders will also be on the podium on Sunday, Dec. 11 for Jingle Bell Jam. Part of the BlueCross BlueShield BPO Kids series, the family can celebrate the season together at budget-friendly prices, complete with a sing-along and the chance to have milk and cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus after the concert. Kids can come at 1:30 p.m. to make cards for military personnel stationed far from home, enjoy activities with the BlueCross BlueShield Healthy Zone Cruiser, and take part in seasonal crafts and stories with Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, Monkey See, Monkey Do...Children's Bookstore, and Tutor Doctor.

It all leads up to Western New York's number one holiday tradition: John Morris Russell's Holiday Pops. Russell has more than earned the nickname Mr. Christmas, with a collection of Christmas albums numbering in the thousands. His Holiday Pops programs are inspired by the free records his father used to get at places like Goodyear Tire or Firestone when he got the snow tires put on the family car.

"It would always just be this panoply of music," Russell recalled. "I like to have that kind of wild diversity to holiday programs. We're celebrating peace, love and joy and I'd like to make sure every single piece of music on the program exudes it."

The program lives up to Russell's goal. BPO Assistant Concertmaster Amy Glidden will perform Bach's "Ave Maria" with her violin student Christophe Koenig. Koenig is a senior at East Aurora High School and plans to attend conservatory next year. This traditional work is sandwiched between Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" and Henry Mancini's "Joy." BPO English horn Anna Mattix is featured on Jeff Tyzik's "Behold the Lights," along with the women of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus. The Westminster Presbyterian Bell Choir performs two pieces with the BPO, and the African-American Cultural Center joins the orchestra for "Little Drummer Boy." Music from "The Polar Express" and "Home Alone" is also on the program, as is the traditional sing-along. Complimentary coffee and donuts are available at 9 a.m. prior to the Friday morning performance. The Coffee Concert Series is presented by Elderwood.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra offers several performances around the region during the holiday season. They are joining forces with Neglia Ballet Artists and Shea's Performing Arts Center for the eighth year in a row to present "The Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27. They will perform in the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus's Messiah at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, and will perform on the Hilbert College campus at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6. They are also appearing on the free "Holidays Under the Dome" series at1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at M&T Bank, 1 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo.

In the spirit of the season, Kleinhans Music Hall is a drop-off point for the Marine Corps' Toys For Tots program. Anyone wishing to donate can bring a new, unwrapped toy to the hall between Dec. 1 and Dec. 18 before concerts, on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., on Saturdays starting at 9 a.m. and Sundays starting at noon.

All first responders are invited to purchase tickets to Cirque Musica, Classical Christmas, or Holiday Pops at a 20 percent discount. To redeem, call (716) 885-5000 or visit bpo.org and use code HEROES at checkout.

For tickets to any of these concerts, visit bpo.org or call (716) 885-5000.