Must See Concerts in BPO’s 2026-27 Season

JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra released their line-up for the 2026-27 concert season last month, and if you think there are only concerts for classical music fans, you should take a closer look.

There is a little something for everyone to enjoy in this concert season. From Tchaikovsky to Gershwin, yacht rock to Broadway, from John Williams to Disney movies in concert, the BPO ensures that there is plenty of music for your kids, parents, and yourself!

Award-winning pianist Lang Lang joins the BPO for a knock-out opening night. This concert includes Beethoven’s “Emperor” Piano Concerto, La Mer by Debussy, and the Fanfare from Paul Dukas’ ballet, La Péri. Catch what is bound to be a lovely night of Parisian virtuosity on Saturday, September 19, at 7:00 pm in Kleinhans Music Hall.

There is no one who ties the classical to the popular like George and Ira Gershwin, so to celebrate Gershwin’s birthday, the BPO, joined by vocalist Alexandra McArthur, is playing all the hits. I Got Rhythm, Summertime, I’ve Got a Crush on You, and more will be brought back to life from the big crooner albums by conductor Ron Spigelman on Friday, September 25, at 10:30 am and Saturday, September 26, at 7:30 pm. Throughout this new concert season, there are going to be several spectacular movies in concert. 

First, take a musical journey into the land of the dead with Disney Pixar’s Coco film in concert. This 2017 film score, written by Michael Giacchino, defined the year with its aural presentation of Dia de los Muertos, providing an animated, emotional lens to Mexican tradition. “Remember Me,” the quintessential song from the soundtrack, won the Academy Award for best original song, and the movie won dozens of accolades, like the Kids’ Choice Award for favorite animated movie. Catch this Disney Concerts presentation on Saturday, October 3 at 2:30 pm.

To finish off the Fall, BPO will be presenting the Christmas classic Home Alone film in concert. John Williams wrote the soundtrack to Home Alone with the self-given task of writing his own original Christmas tune, something he had yet to do. He succeeded with the song ‘Somewhere in my Memory’, the recognizable score that was nominated for several Academy Awards. You’ll have two opportunities to see this holiday film like never before: Saturday, November 28, at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, November 29, at 2:30 pm.

Finally, Dreamworks’ award-winning 2010 animated film How to Train Your Dragon will be presented with a live orchestra as well. Out of the three films in concert, the How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack has to be the most exciting to hear live, with beautifully sweeping crescendos that grow bigger than a nightfury. You can expect to feel like you’re living the movie when low horns are sounding in harmony right in front of your eyes and ears. How to Train Your Dragon in concert is taking place next year in Kleinhans Music Hall on Friday, April 30, 2027, at 7:30 pm.

If you thought that the Home Alone soundtrack was all you were getting of John Williams, then you’d be wrong! The BPO is presenting Falletta Conducts John Williams, with a program that includes the Star Wars Suite, the Harry Potter Suite, and even non-film scores like Williams’ Violin Concerto No. 1. This concert will undoubtedly be the perfect event for both movie lovers and classical music buffs alike. Make sure you don’t miss out on Falletta Conducts John Williams on both Friday, February 5, 2027, at 10:30 am, and Saturday, February 6, 2027, at 7:30 pm.

Even if these highlights somehow did nothing for you, they are just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty more events putting a spotlight on varying genres, cultures, and composers. If you would like to take a deeper dive, visit BPO.org for further events and concerts. Happy listening!