Itis a good thing Buffalo native William Eddins, who joins the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra as a guest soloist and conductor, is staying for a two-week residency: Heis going to need the extra time in town for his Sabres tickets and homecoming self-guided chicken wing tour.
An alumni of the Calasanctius School for the Gifted and the Eastman School of Music, Eddins has since made a name for himself in the international orchestral scene, now leading the Edmonton (British Columbia) Symphony Orchestra as music director. A virtuoso concert-pianist and a renowned conductor, Eddins takes to the Kleinhans stage as a soloist for Gershwinis Concerto for Piano in F Major on Saturday and Sunday, and will guest conduct the BPO the following weekend.
iIim thrilled,i Eddins said about the chance to play with the BPO. iNot only do I get to play with the orchestra I grew up with, I get to eat real chicken wings to my heartis contentOe Iim a Buffalo Boy, for better or for worse.i During his busy schedule including practices and a masterclass, Eddins is making sure to set aside time to get back to his roots in town. When not at Kleinhans, heis even hoping to get some time riding his bike through the downtown neighborhoods.
iIill go down to Albright-Knox or Allentown,i he said. Quoting a friend of his, he plans to iwallow in all things Buffalonian.i The drive that Eddins puts into his hometown pride isnit exclusive o heis just as excited about the lineup of concerts heis performing in as he is about the Sabres making the playoffs.
iIim a firm believer that Gershwin knew exactly what he was doing,i Eddins said on the popular Concerto in F that is known for itis mix of classical writing and jazz motives. iI really hope that people catch the spirit of GershwinOe (and) really get that feeling of the Roaring Twenties.i In his second week, Eddins conducts Mozartis Violin Concerto No. 4, as well as works by Prokofiev and Haydn o a style exceptionally different than the syncopated sound of Gershwin. His ability to master several genres of music, Eddins explains, is partially thanks to his pre-concert routine.
iI have this tradition that drives some other musicians nuts,i Eddins said. The tradition: His iPod, which he keeps in backstage for his ihour-before-walking-on-stagei music. The tunes of choice: iUsually, itis Parliament-Funkadelic Live in Oakland 1977.i
Eddinsi eccentric taste in music holds a strong parallel to the unique, upbeat, versatile persona he brings on stage o depending on how the playoffs go, concert-goers may see a world-class performer in a Buffalo Sabres jersey in the near future.
For tickets for or more information about Eddinsi upcoming performances with the BPO o iEddins Plays Gershwini this Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and iMozart Violin Concertoi next Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., both part of the M&T Bank Classics Series o call the BPO Box Office at 716-885-5000.