The violinist will continue his role through the 2030/31 season
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) has announced the five-year contract extension of its concertmaster, Nikki Chooi.
The Canadian violinist joined BPO as concertmaster in 2019 and will continue in the role after his current contract ends on 31 August 2026, through the 2030/31 season.
Highlights of Chooi’s concertmaster tenure so far have included joining the cellist Yo-Yo Ma in a duet for the encore of Ma’s 2023 appearance with the BPO, performing as a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall in the orchestra’s Centennial Celebration of Lukas Foss in 2022, recording for a BPO album on Naxos Records, recording Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons for a 2021 BPO album on Beau Fleuve Records and leading the orchestra in the inaugural ’BPO UpClose’ concert in 2024.
Chooi commented on the extension: ’I’m truly excited to continue my journey with the BPO. It’s a privilege to make music alongside JoAnn [Falletta, music director], my wonderful colleagues, and to share these experiences with our incredible Buffalo community.
He remarked that he was looking forward to performing the Beethoven Violin Concerto, which will take place during the BPO’s two-weekend Beethoven Festival on 17-18 October, as well as performances of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 and going on tour to Florida with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
JoAnn Falletta commented: ’I speak for myself and for our BPO musicians in expressing our joy at Nikki Chooi’s contract extension. Nikki has been an exemplary leader, a deeply inspiring musician, and a great colleague, and he is loved by our entire Philharmonic family.
’Nikki has distinguished himself by his superb performances as a soloist, chamber player and concertmaster, and his influence has helped the Buffalo Philharmonic attain an unprecedented level of artistic achievement.’
In addition to his role at BPO, Chooi also serves as concertmaster of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. He was previous concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and has served as guest concertmaster with the Boston Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Houston Symphony, Sydney Symphony, and Macao Orchestra.
Read: Munich violist’s entire instrument collection stolen from his apartment
Read: Tributes flow following death of 15-year-old violinist
No comments yet