An energetic organist comes to Buffalo for two performances.By Bill Raffel, WBFO
Buffalo, NY – One of the world's greatest organ virtuosos will give two recitals in Western New York this weekend. Good morning. I'm Bill Raffel with Music Notes.
Ira Glass brags he creates public radio for people who don't like public radio. Well, if you're not a usual fan of organ music, Hector Olivera is capable of converting you, when he comes to Slee Hall on Friday and the Riviera Theatre on Saturday.
Most organists stick to playing either classical music or the theatrical style of the Mighty Wurlitzer. Few people excel at both, and Hector says that's because he's very open-minded.
You might also see Hector Olivera do some strange things behind the console, such as playing the melody of the Flight of the Bumblebee with his feet on the pedalboard. See him Friday (3/28) at 8?p.m. in UB's Slee Hall on the North Campus behind a classical organ, then Saturday (3/29) at 8?p.m. behind the Mighty Wurlitzer at the Riviera Theatre located at 67 Webster Street in North Tonawanda. You'll probably find many local organ enthusiasts at both performances.
Two other organ recitals this week. Damin Spritzer from Dallas gives a free half-hour recital Friday (3/28) at 12:30?p.m. in Saint Paul's Cathedral downtown. And James Flood plays the new pipe organ in University Presbyterian Church, at Main Street and Niagara Falls Boulevard, on Sunday (3/30) at 4?p.m.
Choirs from Saint Joseph's Cathedral and Trinity Episcopal join forces with the ARS Nova Musicians for John Rutter's Magnificat Tuesday (3/25) at 7:30?p.m. in the Cathedral on Franklin Street.
The Buffalo Philharmonic welcomes Marvin Hamlisch for a Pops Concert Friday (3/28) at 7:30?p.m. and Saturday (3/29) at 8:00?p.m. in Kleinhans, before a children's concert Sunday (3/30) at 2:30?p.m., with the world premiere of a new work for Earth Day.
The Orchard Park Symphony welcomes the concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Kim. He'll be featured in Brahms Violin Concerto with Music Director David Rudge on the podium, Friday (3/28) at 7:30?p.m. in the Orchard Park Middle School.
Fainlly, the Baird Trio features Brahms Piano Quartet in?A Saturday (3/29) at 8?p.m. in UB's Slee Hall.
That's Music Notes. I'm Bill Raffel, reminding you there's nothing like music to escape the reality of the world.