Celebrating Robert Spano’s 20-Year Tenure as Music Director
by Jimmy Paulk
These concerts, with Robert Spano leading the ASO in Gustav Mahler’s Symphony №3 in D-minor, comprise the Season Finale for the Orchestra. Much more significantly, they mark the end of the “Spano Era” at the Orchestra, a whirlwind period of more than two decades under his inspired leadership as Music Director.
Fiercely intelligent, with an intense understanding of the orchestral idiom and the complex art of conducting, Spano has been uniquely responsible for “the ASO sound,” and a singular force in charting the Orchestra’s survival through times of financial uncertainty, work stoppages and the Covid pandemic. More than half of the ASO musicians have been hired since Spano’s arrival, and he has focused intently on refining the Orchestra’s virtuosity, deeply committed to getting the best from the ensemble at every single concert.
After two work stoppages in 2012 and 2014, Spano joined long-time ASO Board member John White as co-chair of the Musicians’ Endowment Campaign, lending credibility to this important initiative which ultimately raised more than $27 million to restore 11 musicians to the Orchestra in perpetuity. This was an important milestone in the ASO’s history, which led to a new era of financial stability for the ASO that has extended to this day.
Spano has focused on every corner of the repertoire, from Baroque to Late Romantic to the 20th Century, but his special passion is for new works, and his creation of the Atlanta School of Composers has focused Atlanta and the world on a group of composers he curated, commissioned, and mentored, including Jennifer Higdon, Michael Gandolfi and Christopher Theofanidis. He is a beloved collaborator, making it possible for the ASO to enjoy countless marquee artists. He is renowned as a mentor to young conductors, musicians, and especially singers whom, as a virtuoso pianist, he has often accompanied.
Typically referred to by musicians, staff and patrons as “Robert,” rather than “Maestro,” Spano is personally modest, but a bundle of infectious energy. He is passionate, funny and warm. His commitment and good will are contagious.
Upon learning that Nathalie Stutzmann was under consideration as his successor, Spano, who had heard her conduct elsewhere, was characteristically enthusiastic, instantly responding: “Oh, she’s wonderful!” and setting the stage for a seamless transition.
It is fitting that Spano has chosen Mahler’s epic, profound Third Symphony for his Finale. It utilizes a chorus, and Spano cherishes the ASO Chorus. There’s a mezzo-soprano, another favored element, and in this case the soloist is Kelley O’Connor, one of Spano’s all-time favorites. And the Third is perhaps Mahler’s most philosophical work, mirroring Spano’s approach to life itself.
Spano’s legacy, his gift to Atlanta, is an Orchestra that ranks among the world’s finest. This week he assumes a new title: Music Director Laureate of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He promises to return regularly. He will be most welcome.
