In the final BPO Kids of the eason, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Todd Craven, presented music from “Around the World”; visiting five of the seven continents along the way.
Leah Wietig returned to Kleinhans Music Hall to help narrate the program.
After opening the program with the traditional American tune “Erie Canal”, it appeared that Sal the mule from the song went on walkabout and could not be found. Although she did leave a few musical clues to her whereabouts.
The first stop on the journey was to Europe and the Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composition “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”.
Then it was off to the African continent and “The Land of Superstition” from “Africa” by William Grant Still.
Then it was off to Asia and the Middle East and the “Bacchanale” from “Samson and Delilah” by Camille Saint-Saens and the Maurice Ravel composition “Laideronette, Empress of the Pagodas” from “Ma Mere l’Oye”; but still no sign of old Sal.
Continung the global excursion, the BPO made a stop in South America for a taste of Salsa.
After having no luck in locating Sal, the BPO returned to the United States for some good old American Jazz with “Fascinating Rhythm” by George Gershwn and Chuck Sayre.
After failing to locate the wandering Sal, conductor Todd Craven found a note in his musical score that gave one final clue as to where Sal might be…the lyrics to the song “Erie Canal”. And with that Sal was found.
The afternoon concluded with the audience singing the song.
All through the program Leah and Todd described the various musical styles and as the Orchestra played each piece, images from that region were displayed on the video screen.