Robert Spano To Lead ASO In La Luna Azul 3/1-2, 3/4

Music Director Robert Spano will lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in the world premiere of La
Luna Azul - a work by Atlanta School of Composers member Adam Schoenberg that was
commissioned by Mr. Spano for the Orchestra. The program will also include the Grieg Piano Concerto, with frequent guest and friend of the Orchestra André Watts, and Nielsen's Symphony No. 5.

The concerts will take place March 1 and 2, at 8:00 p.m., and March 4, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center.

Adam Schoenberg is the newest member of the Atlanta School of Composers - a continuing
commitment by Mr. Spano and the Orchestra to nurture, commission, and record contemporary music through multi-year partnerships with a new generation of American composers. Previous Atlanta Symphony performances of Mr. Schoenberg's works include Finding Rothko (October 1-3, 2009), and the fanfare, Up! (September 30, October 1-2, 2010). Up! was commissioned by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in celebration of the 10-year artistic partnership of Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles, and 10 years of the Atlanta School of Composers.

Of La Luna Azul, Mr. Schoenberg has said, "This work is about love, lightness, curiosity, innocence, and a glimpse into the beautiful unknown. The main material evolved from a piano trio, Luna y Mar, which was inspired by my wife, Janine. We met in the woods of New Hampshire, at the MacDowell Colony where we both had residencies. The moon (luna) and the color blue (azul) have been very influential in her work as a poet, playwright, and screenwriter. I wanted to take these two ideas and see how they could inspire my own music."

Prior to the performance on Thursday, March 1, 2012, ASO Insider and Program Annotator Ken Meltzer and members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will host a pre-concert chamber music recital from 6:45–7:30 p.m. in Atlanta Symphony Hall. The program will include selections from the Nielsen Woodwind Quintet. The chamber music recital is free and open to all concert ticket holders.

Single tickets for these performances are $21 to $79. All single tickets for the 2011–2012 season are on sale now, and available online at atlantasymphony.org, or by calling (404) 733-5000.

Tickets may also be purchased at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office, located in the Woodruff Arts Center at 15th and Peachtree Streets. Box office hours are Monday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.