Victory Lap
By Michael Kurth
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s 2020/21 season marks the end of an era. Our beloved Music Director, Robert Spano, leads the Orchestra for his 20th and final season, having overseen two decades of exciting artistic achievement. To celebrate, next season is packed with iconic masterpieces, thrilling world premieres and captivating guest artists. Here are a few highlights I’m most looking forward to.
We get the celebration off to a rousing start with the Sept. 12 Symphony Gala Concert, featuring Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, and Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the brilliant pianist Daniil Trifonov. (And yes, I do expect the entire audience to shout MAMBO! on cue in the Bernstein.)
The first subscription weekend (Sept. 24 & 26) Maestro Spano welcomes back violinist Gil Shaham for the exquisitely beautiful Korngold Violin Concerto, as well as Theofanidis’ modern classic Rainbow Body and Sibelius’ dramatic Symphony №2.
Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles and Director of Choruses Norman Mackenzie lead the world-renowned ASO Chorus in a special celebration of its 50th anniversary on Oct. 15. A weekend of Russian favorites is up next (Oct. 22 & 24) featuring Mussorgsky’s dazzling orchestral showpiece Pictures at an Exhibition, Tchaikovsky’s classic Romeo & Juliet Overture and Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto №1 with Benjamin Beilman.
November opens with a perpetual audience favorite: Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony, as well as Principal Bassoon Andrew Brady performing John Williams’ The Five Sacred Trees (Nov. 5 & 7). The month continues as Spano leads an all-star cast in Mendelssohn’s epic Elijah (Nov. 19 & 21).
December marks a return to Russia with Tchaikovsky’s timeless suite from Sleeping Beauty (Dec. 3 & 5) and, just in time for the holidays, his suite from The Nutcracker (Dec. 16).
Our own Associate Concertmaster Justin Bruns kicks off 2021 with another sure-to-sell-out performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons paired with its tango-inflected namesake, Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires (Jan. 2).
On Jan.14 & 16, we’re delighted by the return of spectacular French pianist and fashion icon Jean-Yves Thibaudet for Liszt’s Piano Concerto №2, with Spano on the podium. Spano continues the romantic pyrotechnics Jan. 21, 23 & 24 with Berlioz’s monumental Symphonie fantastique, featuring the ASO’s custom-made, ear-splitting giant brass bells.
In February, Spano welcomes frequent collaborator, pianist Yefim Bronfman, for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto №3, and leads the world premiere of Adam Schoenberg’s Concerto for Orchestra, sure to be a colorful display of virtuosity (Feb. 18 & 20). February continues under Spano’s baton with Copland’s beloved Fanfare for the Common Man and another world premiere, Michael Gandolfi’s Concerto for Piano. Concertmaster David Coucheron also takes the stage in February with Mozart’s Violin Concerto.
You can’t get much more epic than March’s offerings: Mahler’s “foaming, roaring, raging sea of sound” Symphony №5 (March 11 & 13), followed by Mahler’s mighty Symphony №2, “Resurrection,” led by Donald Runnicles (March 18 & 20). Runnicles follows with another late-romantic masterpiece, Symphony №5 from Sibelius (March 25 & 26).
In April, Spano leads the Orchestra in a true classic, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony №4, and is joined by Georgia’s own Robert McDuffie for Brahms’ beautiful Violin Concerto (April 15 & 17). And get your tickets now for the much-anticipated return of superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma (April 18), playing one of the most fiercely beautiful and heartbreaking concertos in the repertoire, Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto №1.
April continues with Spano at the helm and the ASO Chorus joining the Orchestra for Bernstein’s choral masterpiece Chichester Psalms and the world premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff’s The Sacrifice of Isaac (April 22 & 24).
In May, we welcome the return of an Atlanta favorite as violinist Augustin Hadelich brings us Britten’s Violin Concerto on a program that also includes Vaughan Williams’ Symphony №6 (May 6 & 8). And continuing the violin virtuosity, we’re joined by megastar Hilary Hahn for Sarasate’s wickedly difficult Carmen Fantasy (May 20, 22 & 23).
We wrap up this momentous season with three Spano-led programs in June, beginning with a program filled with some of Robert’s favorite commissions from his tenure here, including music of Jennifer Higdon, Michael Gandolfi, and your humble correspondent, Michael Kurth; and featuring Principal Clarinet Laura Ardan (June 4).
The celebration continues with a valedictory visit from Spano’s longest-running collaborator, pianist Garrick Ohlsson, performing Rachmaninov’s beloved Piano Concerto №3, while the Orchestra dazzles with Rimsky-Korsakov’s electrifying Scheherezade (June 3, 5 & 6). Maestro Spano drops the mic with one of the most epic works ever written, Mahler’s Symphony №3, featuring the ASO Chorus, Gwinnett Young Singers, and mezzo-soprano and ASO favorite Kelley O’Connor (June 10 & 12).
Those are just a few of the exhilarating highlights to look forward to as we celebrate all that Maestro Spano has inspired us to share. But there’s plenty more: guest conductors familiar and new, soloists you’ll be amazed by, new music from a tantalizingly diverse group of composers, memorable holiday traditions and a few surprises. Join us for a season of spectacular music making!
Check out the 2020/21 Season here.
