Music Director Robert Spano & Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles Annouce 2010-11 Season with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

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The 24-week season celebrates the partnership of Mr. Spano and Mr. Runnicles, and features several musicians from the Orchestra, including newly appointed Concertmaster David Coucheron.

The season opens on Thursday, September 23, 2009 with Robert Spano leading the Orchestra in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9, “Jeunehomme,” with André Watts as soloist. Also on the program is Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. The new season will offer two world premieres, and 13 Atlanta premieres, including the new ASO commission from Alvin Singleton, and the world premiere of James Oliverio’s Double Timpani Concerto. Mr. Spano and the Orchestra have been invited to return to Carnegie Hall October 30, 2010, to perform the great Janáček masterwork, Glagolitic Mass. In January 2011, Mr. Runnicles will lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis featuring soprano Christine Brewer, plus Mozart’s Piano Concert No 20 in D minor with Mr. Spano as soloist. Mr. Spano will close the season in June 2011 by leading the Orchestra in an ASO Theater of a Concert presentation of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Works by Osvaldo Golijov and Jennifer Higdon, of the Atlanta School of Composers, will also be featured in the season, reflecting Mr. Spano and the Orchestra’s commitment to nurturing and championing music through multi-year partnerships defining a new generation of American composers.

“I can think of no better artistic partner and friend to have shared these 10 years with than Donald,” said Music Director Robert Spano. “This season will celebrate the tremendous musicians of the Orchestra and the initiatives of the last decade. Working with this Orchestra is my greatest joy, and I look forward to all that is ahead.”

“It's hard to believe 10 years of collaborating with Robert and this Orchestra have gone by so quickly,” said Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles. “The challenges and achievements over the years have been considerable, and yet there is still so much ahead of us, and so much to which I still look forward — to explore further the symphonies of Bruckner, and to experience the fabulous ASO Chorus in the Missa Solemnis. What a joy and privilege to belong to the Atlantan family.”

“This Orchestra has never sounded better than they do right now with Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles leading the way,” said Board Chairman Ben Johnson. “Robert and Donald have created a bond with not only the musicians, but with the people of Atlanta. Their artistic partnership has been tremendous, and the result of their collaboration — from the Atlanta School of Composers to the Theater of a Concert — will endure for years to come. Congratulations to them both on a decade of splendid music.”

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform two world premieres during the 2010–11 season:

    • June 2 and 4, 2011: Music Director Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform the world-premiere ASO-commission of Alvin Singleton’s new work.
    • On the same program, the Orchestra’s Principal Timpani Mark Yancich and his brother, Paul Yancich (The Cleveland Orchestra), will perform the premiere of James Oliverio’s Double Timpani Concerto.
    • In addition, the Orchestra will perform 15 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra premieres, including works by Osvaldo Golijov, Janáček, Piazzolla, Puccini, Purcell, Wagenaar, and others.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s special artistic initiatives surrounding The Atlanta School of Composers is generously funded in part by Turner Voices. Turner Voices is Turner Broadcasting’s philanthropic initiative that focuses on building the next generation of storytellers in the arts and high school education arenas.

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