The renowned American conductor JoAnn Falletta has gained international acclaim for her dynamic and expressive conducting style and for her commitment to promoting both the classical repertoire and works by contemporary composers.
JoAnn Falletta © David Adam Beloff
Known for her ability to connect deeply with musicians and audiences alike, she has brought fresh perspectives to orchestral music, all while championing diversity and inclusion within the field.
Falletta is not only known for her musical accomplishments, but also for her role as a trailblazer for women in a traditionally male-dominated profession. On the occasion of her birthday on 27 February, let us sample some of her most iconic performances and recordings.
JoAnn Falletta Conducts Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 (excerpt)
Florent Schmitt
JoAnn Falletta is renowned for her dedication to bringing lesser-known works to the public, often spotlighting hidden gems from a variety of composers and genres. Her engagement with the music of Florent Schmitt is characterised by a deep respect for the composer’s intentions, and her recordings and performances have been critically acclaimed.
JoAnn Falletta
Classics Today writes, “Falletta’s recording with the Buffalo Philharmonic revels in the music’s luscious and exotic textures while adeptly navigating the score’s dynamic range. And that is particularly true of her handling of the score’s instrumental colour and atmospheric depth. Falletta has been critically acclaimed for her interpretive insights and her significant contribution of enabling a revival and appreciation of Schmitt’s music in the modern era.
Florent Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé (Susan Platts, mezzo-soprano; Women’s Choir of Buffalo; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta, cond.)
Danny Elfman
For her interpretation of the music of Danny Elfman, JoAnn Falletta has been praised for bridging the gap between classical music and film music. Critics have praised Falletta’s interpretation for its precision, emotional intensity, and for bringing Elfman’s challenging and less conventional harmonies to life.
Falletta’s approach blends the characteristic dark and whimsical elements from Elfman’s film scoring with more abstract and classical music forms. Elfman’s use of leitmotifs, his vividly contrasting sections, and his cinematic sense of storytelling are interpreted with a keen sense of drama and nuance. This particular recording exemplifies Falletta’s role in promoting innovative and genre-crossing music, making it a notable part of her extensive catalogue.
Danny Elfman: Violin Concerto, “Eleven Eleven” (Sandy Cameron, violin; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta, cond.)
Alexander Scriabin
JoAnn Falletta conducting
JoAnn Falletta became the first woman to lead a major American ensemble, and with a discography of over 120 titles, she is a leading recording artist for Naxos. In 2024, she was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Orchestral Performance for her recording of Scriabin’s “The Poem of Ecstasy.”
That recording has been lauded for its vivid interpretation and technical prowess. Critics have highlighted Falletta’s ability to capture the sumptuous chromaticism and emotional intensity of the piece while bringing out the work’s thrilling crescendos and lush orchestration. Her passionate and meticulous interpretation captures the essence of Scriabin’s singular vision, with the music transcending into an almost mystical experience.
Alexander Scriabin: Le poème de l’extase (The Poem of Ecstasy), Op. 54 (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta, cond.)
William Walton
JoAnn Falletta
JoAnn Falletta’s interpretation of William Walton’s music is marked by a masterful balance of precision and expressive depth. Her ability to navigate Walton’s complex rhythms and bracing brass fanfares while bringing out the emotional intensity of his lyrical passages has been widely praised.
Critics have noted her clarity in shaping Walton’s intricate textures while maintaining the delicate balance between boldness and subtlety. Leading with both grandeur and sensitivity, Falletta’s interpretation stands as a testament to her deep understanding of Walton’s musical landscape, with her style effectively conveying the composer’s robust energy alongside his moments of profound lyricism.
William Walton: Façade 1 (Hila Plitmann, narrator; Fred Child, narrator; Kevin Deas, narrator; Virginia Arts Festival Chamber Players; JoAnn Falletta, cond.)
John Corigliano
JoAnn Falletta won two Grammy Awards for John Corigliano’s “Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan.” Her performances of Corigliano have been celebrated for their emotional depth and technical precision, bringing a fresh perspective to Corigliano’s complex scores. Falletta is a renowned champion of American music, having presented over eighty world premieres.
JoAnn Falletta has been hailed as “one of the finest conductors of her generation,” and she is the recipient of countless commendations, including ten awards from the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP). Her dedication to championing both new and underappreciated works makes her an indispensable figure in bridging musical eras and broadening the orchestral canon.
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John Corigliano: Mr. Tambouring Man (Hila Plitmann, soprano; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta, cond.)
