BUFFALO, N.Y. — Daron Hagen, a Rhinebeck native, is composing a piece of music for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Hagen has nearly six months until his piece will debut, and despite being a world-renowned composer, he says he’s nervous and humbled. Hagen’s work spans four decades, including 14 operas and six symphonies.

The special piece is called "City of Light," and Hagen says it still has yet to be written. It will be 14 minutes long.

"City of Light" celebrates Buffalo’s role in the electrification movement. On Nov. 16, 1896, inventor Nikola Tesla flipped the switch that made Buffalo the first electrified city in the world. It also celebrates BPO’s 90 years and BPO Music Director JoAnn Falletta’s 25th anniversary with the orchestra.

Falletta is quite the accomplished composer, with four Grammys on her shelf. She's also the first woman to lead a major American ensemble.

Hagen — who says there has never been a better time to be a young composer — says he’s excited to share something with the audience that’s all about celebrating.

“Art and politics really don't intersect," said Hagen. "But art does remind us of our humanity and an opportunity like this to write something that is festive is an opportunity to walk into a room where everybody is ready to have a good time.”

BPO’s opening night is Saturday, Sept. 28.