If you’ve ever been curious about classical music but weren’t sure where to start, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra has the perfect introduction: BPO UpClose. Designed for both first-time listeners and orchestral music aficionados, this intimate concert series offers audiences a rare chance to experience the orchestra like never before.

Jonathan Borden, a longtime member of the BPO’s double bass section and a member of the BPO Education Committee, describes UpClose as “kind of like my dream show.” He offers that UpClose is perfect for the person who is “somewhat interested in classical music, but doesn’t know where to start… come to the show. This is the place to be.”

The series addresses some of the common hurdles new listeners face.

Concerts can be on the lengthier side…people can feel intimidated by the music and feel like they need a lot of education or some level of sophistication in order to appreciate the music, I just reject that wholeheartedly. I think this music can speak to anybody.

Held in the BPO’s Mary Seaton Room, just across from Kleinhans’ main hall, UpClose concerts are intentionally intimate. “It’s about an hour long…we’re going to have the orchestra mostly in the round. People don’t normally get to experience the orchestra that close. And there’s a proximity effect to an orchestra playing. A lot of the reason musicians are so in love with this art form… is that surround-sound effect, that proximity effect. We want to give listeners, concertgoers, that experience.”

Borden also emcees the performance (along with concertmaster Nikki Chooi), guiding audiences through the music with insights, facts, history, and anecdotes. “There’s a real art form to…what kind of information am I going to give you before we play this snippet of music so that you can start listening for that?” He hopes that the concerts transform listeners from passive observers into engaged participants, ready to explore the orchestra’s mainstage season.

Follow the WNY SOUNDSTAGE podcast with host Daniel Lendzian on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or listen in your browser.

WNY Soundstage

BPO UpClose, conversation with double-bassist Jonathan Borden

00:00 / 00:25:04

Buffalo Rising

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