A quick 10 years

Saturday night, when JoAnn Falletta was celebrating the start of her 10th season with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, one thing I heard over and over at Kleinhans Music Hall was: "I can't believe it has been this long!"

I could sympathize. When I took on the classical music beat at The Buffalo News, Falletta was just a couple of years into her tenure. Time has sure flown. But what strikes me is how much there is to remember. Falletta has a way of forging a personal connection with even occasional BPO listeners. I think that many of us will have distinct memories of her first 10 years.

Here is mine: When the BPO and Falletta gave their concert at Carnegie Hall, in 2004, I went to New York to cover it. I knew it was a big occasion for the orchestra, which used to play Carnegie Hall but had not done so in some years. But I didn't feel the importance of it -- really feel it -- until the few minutes after the concert, when the musicians gathered in another room. They didn't call it a rally, but that was kind of what it was. It reminded me of what happens after a football game. It was a celebration.

People were getting up and making speeches. I think Falletta may have been presented with something. But I can't remember completely. All I remember is that Falletta got up to speak and she couldn't talk because she was crying. I mean she was really crying, tears running down her cheeks. Now, during Falletta's time in Buffalo, we have all gotten to know her pretty well. We know -- I know, certainly -- that she is always ready with the sound-byte, always ready to talk, always ready to say something in those sweet, honeyed tones she has. That she couldn't talk that day, I could not get over that. It showed how deeply she was feeling what was happening. And the way the musicians responded showed that they were a team.

I have thought about that moment a lot.

I am wondering if other people out there have BPO moments they cherish from the last nine years. Was there a piece of music that you heard that moved you? Maybe something you wouldn't have thought you would have liked, but that you wound up embracing? Was there a moment you felt an ownership in the orchestra, that you felt it was yours, that it was speaking for you? Do you have a specific memory involving Falletta -- and/or the BPO -- that will stick with you?

The presence of our own orchestra in town makes music a community thing. I would love to hear people's answers.

-- Mary Kunz Goldman.

Comments

[David]

In response to poster "bakm", I believe the issue taken with Mr.Perlman's review was not the fact that he has overcome adversity. This is not news, anyone who knows anything about Itzhak Perlman knows that he has overcome incredible obstacles in his life. He is indeed an inspiration. It was the way in which his physical condition and appearance was described in the article. It was insensitive and, frankly, immature. Seems to be characteristic of this writer unfortunately.

[bakm]

A beacon of inspiration - that is how I see anyone who has overcome adversity, more specifically,anyone who has overcome physical challenges including polio and blindness, and gone on to excel. I have no problem with the mention of an adversity overcome.

With these insights into what an artist has faced, we are given an opportunity to put our individual challenges into a larger perspective and we can be inspired.

[W. R. Clay]

Always a pleasure to hear JoAnn's name mentioned in the same sentence as the BPO, while listening to KVOD here in our new home in Denver. We miss Buffalo, but still feel connected to what we think is one of the best orcestras in the country. Keep up the good work, and JoAnn, may another decade pass with you at the helm....

[Mark]

The some of the population of WNY lives and dies with their sports teams and the stars of any given year. JoAnn Falletta has elevated the BPO and seems genuinely interested in Buffalo and is one of the Buffalo ambassadors to the world. We may love the music, we should all be grateful for the other part as well.

[Tricky Dick]

I was at that Carnegie Hall concert in '04, and as someone who goes to many concerts in NYC, I must say that was one of the most memorable of the past several years here.

Come back again, please!

[Ben Haverstein]

Certainly one of the highlights of the past ten years has been the BPO's performances of Daron Hagen's groundbreaking opera SHINING BROW, their recording of which will be released in March on Naxos. Honestly, I found it to be one of the most thrilling evenings I've ever spent at Kleinhans.

[DHB64]

My memories of this fine orchestra extend far beyond the last nine years. A decade is a drop in the bucket when speaking of the history of this orchestra. It is hoped that the younger generation of musicians are aware of what has gone into preserving the BPO through the years. Since you've asked for opinions, last night concert was wonderful. I'm sorry to say, however, that I found your review to be incredibly insulting to Mr. Perlman and would be surprised if others didn't feel the same way. Really, when will this nonsense stop?