Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Sets 2015-16 Season

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Music Director Robert Spano and Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles today announced the 2015-16 season of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO), the Orchestra's 71ST season and Mr. Spano's and Mr. Runnicles' 15th season as artistic partners. The 25-week subscription season will feature monumental classics, world premieres, distinguished visitors and spectacular choral masterworks to mark a year of celebration as the 2015-16 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra season honors the 100th birthday of the legendary Robert Shaw.

"We decided to celebrate the centenary of Robert Shaw's birth in myriad, musical ways this season, perhaps most notable by performing in Carnegie Hall on his birthday," says ASO Music Director Robert Spano. "The legacy he left to Atlanta is a profound one that enriches us all still. To perpetuate that legacy is surely our mandate, and certainly our joy."

"As I embark on what is-can this really be-my 15th season as principal guest conductor with this remarkable institution, I am thrilled to revisit the masterpieces of Beethoven and Mahler with this extraordinary Orchestra and Chorus," said Donald Runnicles, Principal Guest Conductor. "The new challenges, the continued exploration of the music of the Viennese, the French masters fills me with excitement, humility and sheer joy. Understandable when you are working with this unique and truly outstanding organization. Lucky me and lucky Atlanta!"

"We're excited to announce that due to popular demand we will be expanding our POPS! program from seven to 10 weekends for the 2015-16 season, offering a wide variety of music from The Beatles to Elton John to Tapestry, the Carole King Songbook," said Michael Krajewski, Principal POPS! Conductor. "This season also marks the 10th anniversary of our Holiday POPS! series, a tradition we're proud to continue."

"For a symphonic chorus it's a dream season," says ASO Director of Choruses Norman Mackenzie. "Not only do they get to honor and celebrate the unique legacy of our founding conductor, but they get to perform the most beloved and challenging core works of the symphonic choral repertoire all in one season."

"It is once again our pleasure to bring what promises to be an extraordinary season of live symphonic music to Atlanta," said Terry Neal, Interim CEO & President of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. "During his more than two decade tenure as ASO music director, Robert Shaw transformed the Orchestra and its chorus into the world-class institutions they are today. The 2015-16 season will be a celebration of the music that Shaw loved, performed by Robert Spano, Donald Runnicles, the musicians of the Orchestra the ASO Chorus and an exciting array of guests."

The season includes many of the works most strongly associated with Shaw, pieces he conducted countless times. The season opens on Thursday, September 17, 2015, with Mr. Spano leading the Orchestra in a weekend performance of Mahler's Second Symphony, "Resurrection".