Concert Review: The BPO’s 'Gershwin & Resphigi'

Three Pieces From 100 Years Ago And Joyce Yang Breaks In A New Steinway

Author’s Note: This review was originally published on October 11, 2024 in the Buffalo Hive where I serve as Managing Editor.

At its first “Coffee Concert” of the season, Music Director JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performed three distinct, early modern compositions, each about a century old.

The BPO also debuted its new Steinway piano in an extraordinary performance by guest pianist Joyce Yang, who brought the audience at Kleinhans to its feet following Gershwin’s Concerto in F Major for Piano and Orchestra.

Jazz Was Not “Serious” Music in 1924

While marijuana had been a key ingredient in the patent medicines of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, its increasing use by African Americans and Mexican immigrants following the 1910 Mexican Revolution resulted in its criminalization in 1937.

In 1924, jazz was not “serious” music and was associated with disreputable, cannabis-using jazz musicians, and other “muggle (marijuana) smokers.” The video clip below, whil…