Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Composers

Biography

Active: 1947 -
One of the youngest of America's major orchestras, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra began in 1945 as the Atlanta Youth Symphony, created by members of the Atlanta Music Club to give high-quality performance opportunities to young musicians in the Atlanta area. Over its history, the ensemble has grown from a community orchestra of volunteers and part-time employees to a world-class ensemble with a reputation for musical excellence.

Under the Read more direction of the gifted conductor and teacher Henry Sopkin, the Atlanta Youth Symphony became the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) in 1947. Although still in its fledgling years, the Orchestra flourished under Sopkins' leadership: expanding its repertoire, increasing its programs for young players, and improving the level of musicianship among its members. As it grew, the Orchestra was able to attract world-renowned soloists such as Glenn Gould and Isaac Stern, which further enhanced its reputation as a top-notch regional orchestra. In 1964, the ASO, still an organization of part-time musicians, became a founding member of the Atlanta Arts Alliance, which later became the internationally acclaimed Woodruff Arts Center.

When Sopkin announced his retirement in 1966, an arduous search began to find a replacement for this talented and visionary conductor. The job was offered to Robert Shaw who initially turned down the position because he felt that he was not well-versed enough in orchestral repertoire to "stay ahead of the musicians." When he finally accepted the music director's position in 1967, it was obvious that he was equal to the challenge. Shaw immediately expanded the ASO to 87 full-time musicians, created the 200-voice Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and raised the expected level of musicianship to a new and highly professional standard. He also began to organize significant tours for the ASO which brought national recognition and recording opportunities to the group. Under Shaw's leadership, the ASO performed for the inauguration of President Carter in 1977 and released the first commercial digital orchestral recording for Telarc.

With its national reputation for excellence of musicianship well established, the ASO made numerous recordings, won 15 Grammy Awards and toured internationally under Shaw's direction. In 1988, Shaw retired from his position as ASO music director although he continued to hold the positions of director emeritus and conductor laureate until his death in 1999. Following Shaw's retirement, Yoel Levi became the third music director in ASO history. A conductor of international reputation, Levi has continued the tradition of musical excellence for which the ASO has become known. He led the ensemble on its second European tour in 1991 to enthusiastic audiences. In 1995, the ASO celebrated its 50th anniversary season with two nationwide television broadcasts and a successful tour of the northeastern United States, and performed for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in 1996 which was viewed by more than 3.5 billion people worldwide. In 2001, Robert Spano became music director, with Donald Runnicles as principal guest conductor. Read less

Featured Atlanta Symphony Orchestra CDs & DVDs:

Orff: Carmina Burana / Runnicles, Hong, Atlanta So, Et Al
Orff: Carmina Burana / Runnicles, Hong, Atlanta So, Et Al
Release Date: 01/22/2002   Label: Telarc  
Catalog: 80575   Number of Discs: 1
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Browse 1-25 of 142 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    Torke: Color Music
    Torke: Color Music
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001752802 Release Date: 12/11/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Michael Torke
    Conductor:  David Zinman,  Kent Nagano,  Yoel Levi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Baltimore Symphony Orchestra,  London Sinfonietta,  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 2.
    Essential Phillip Glass
    Essential Phillip Glass
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 191720 Release Date: 01/24/2012   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Philip Glass
    Performer:  Janice Pendarvis,  Yo-Yo Ma,  Philip Glass,  Douglas Perry  ... 
    Conductor:  Michael Riesman,  Michael Reisman,  Dennis Russell Davies,  Robert Shaw  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philip Glass Ensemble,  Stuttgart State Opera Chorus,  Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra  ... 
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  • 3.
    Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3, Symphonic Dances / Spano, Ohlsson, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
    Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3, Symphonic Dances / Spano, Ohlsson, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
    Label: Aso Media (Label)   Catalog: 1003 Release Date: 10/25/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Sergei Rachmaninov
    Performer:  Garrick Ohlsson
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 4.
    Theofanidis: Symphony No. 1; Lieberson: Neruda Songs / Spano
    Theofanidis: Symphony No. 1; Lieberson: Neruda Songs / Spano
    Label: Aso Media (Label)   Catalog: 1002 Release Date: 06/28/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Chris Theofanidis,  Peter Lieberson
    Performer:  Kelley O'Connor
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 5.
    Higdon: On a Wire; Gandolfi: Q.E.D. Engaging Richard Feynman / Spano, Atlanta SO
    Higdon: On a Wire; Gandolfi: Q.E.D. Engaging Richard Feynman / Spano, Atlanta SO
    Label: Aso Media (Label)   Catalog: 1001 Release Date: 02/22/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jennifer Higdon,  Michael Gandolfi
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,  Eighth Blackbird,  Atlanta Symphony Chorus
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  • 6.
    The Singing Rooms / Spano, Koh, Atlanta Symphony
    The Singing Rooms / Spano, Koh, Atlanta Symphony
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 32630 Release Date: 09/21/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Alvin Singleton,  Alexander Scriabin,  Jennifer Higdon
    Performer:  Jennifer Koh
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,  Atlanta Symphony Chorus
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  • 7.
    Great Strauss Scenes / Brewer, Runnicles, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
    Great Strauss Scenes / Brewer, Runnicles, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 31755 Release Date: 07/27/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss
    Performer:  Christine Brewer,  Eric Owens
    Conductor:  Donald Runnicles
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 8.
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 3 (After Violin Concerto) / Lazic, Spano, Atlanta Symphony
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 3 (After Violin Concerto) / Lazic, Spano, Atlanta Symphony
    Label: Channel Classics   Catalog: 29410 Release Date: 03/09/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Dejan Lazic
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 9.
    Classical Prep School - Essential Music
    Classical Prep School - Essential Music
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80749 Release Date: 08/11/2009   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Felix Mendelssohn,  Camille Saint-Saëns,  Richard Wagner,  Edvard Grieg  ... 
    Performer:  John O'Conor,  James Van Demark,  Rudolf Serkin,  Michael Chertock  ... 
    Conductor:  Michael Bishop,  Yoel Levi,  Erich Kunzel,  Lorin Maazel  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,  Cincinnati Pops,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
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  • 10.
    Transmigration / Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony
    Transmigration / Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80673 Release Date: 07/28/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Samuel Barber,  John Adams,  John Corigliano,  Jennifer Higdon
    Performer:  Nmon Ford,  Nmon Ford-Livene
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Chorus,  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 11.
    Transmigration / Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony
    Transmigration / Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 60673 Release Date: 07/28/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Samuel Barber,  John Adams,  John Corigliano,  Jennifer Higdon
    Performer:  Nmon Ford
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Chorus,  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 12.
    Everybody's Sibelius / Yoel Levi, Et Al
    Everybody's Sibelius / Yoel Levi, Et Al
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80760 Release Date: 04/28/2009   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Jean Sibelius
    Conductor:  Yoel Levi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cleveland Orchestra,  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
    CD: $11.99
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  • 13.
    Górecki: Symphony No 3 / Donald Runnicles, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
    Górecki: Symphony No 3 / Donald Runnicles, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80699 Release Date: 03/24/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Henryk Mikolaj Górecki
    Performer:  Christine Brewer
    Conductor:  Donald Runnicles
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 14.
    Telarc Classical - Sacd Sampler Vol 6
    Telarc Classical - Sacd Sampler Vol 6
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 60013 Release Date: 01/27/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Alexander Borodin,  Luigi Cherubini,  Modest Mussorgsky,  Isaac Albeniz  ... 
    Performer:  David Rusell,  Christina Day Martinson,  Mariusz Kwiecien,  Norah Amsellem  ... 
    Conductor:  Erich Kunzel,  Martin Pearlman,  Robert Spano,  Paavo Järvi  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cincinnati Pops,  Boston Baroque,  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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  • 15.
    Christmas with Robert Shaw / Atlanta SO and Chorus
    Christmas with Robert Shaw / Atlanta SO and Chorus
    Label: Musical Concepts   Catalog: 1051 Release Date: 10/14/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Frideric Handel,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  John Francis Wade,  Hector Berlioz  ... 
    Conductor:  Robert Shaw
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,  Atlanta Symphony Chorus
    CD: $9.99
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  • 16.
    Puccini: La Bohčme / Spano, Amsellem, Haddock
    Puccini: La Bohčme / Spano, Amsellem, Haddock
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 60697 Release Date: 09/09/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giacomo Puccini
    Performer:  Denis Sedov,  Christopher Schaldenbrand,  Marcus Haddock,  Fabio Capitanucci  ... 
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,  Atlanta Symphony Chorus
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  • 17.
    Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem Op. 45 / Spano, Robinson, Kwiecien, Atlanta So And Chorus
    Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem Op. 45 / Spano, Robinson, Kwiecien, Atlanta So And Chorus
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 60701 Release Date: 07/22/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Twyla Robinson,  Mariusz Kwiecien
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,  Atlanta Symphony Chorus
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  • 18.
    Puccini: La Bohčme / Spano, Amsellem, Haddock, Jarman, Capitanucci
    Puccini: La Bohčme / Spano, Amsellem, Haddock, Jarman, Capitanucci
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80697 Release Date: 07/01/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giacomo Puccini
    Performer:  Kevin Glavin,  Denis Sedov,  Fabio Maria Capitanucci,  Georgia Jarman  ... 
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Chorus,  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 19.
    Beautiful Wedding - Ceremony - Handel, Bach, Vivaldi, Etc / Ozawa, Pearlman, Levi, Empire Brass Et Al
    Beautiful Wedding - Ceremony - Handel, Bach, Vivaldi, Etc / Ozawa, Pearlman, Levi, Empire Brass Et Al
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80717 Release Date: 05/20/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Frideric Handel,  Ottorino Respighi,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Ludwig van Beethoven  ... 
    Performer:  John Sauer,  Kurt Wortman,  Rick Tiven,  Joel Brown  ... 
    Conductor:  Martin Pearlman,  Jesús Lopez-Cobos,  Frederick Fennell,  Yoel Levi  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Boston Baroque,  Lausanne Chamber Orchestra,  Empire Brass  ... 
    CD: $11.99
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  • 20.
    Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem Op. 45 / Spano, Robinson, Kwiecien, Atlanta So And Chorus
    Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem Op. 45 / Spano, Robinson, Kwiecien, Atlanta So And Chorus
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80701 Release Date: 05/20/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Twyla Robinson,  Mariusz Kwiecien
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Chorus,  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
    CD: $16.99
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  • 21.
    Gandolfi: The Garden Of Cosmic Speculation / Spano, Et Al
    Gandolfi: The Garden Of Cosmic Speculation / Spano, Et Al
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 60696 Release Date: 02/26/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Michael Gandolfi
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 22.
    Gandolfi: The Garden Of Cosmic Speculation / Spano, Et Al
    Gandolfi: The Garden Of Cosmic Speculation / Spano, Et Al
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80696 Release Date: 02/26/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Michael Gandolfi
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 23.
    Britannia / Runnicles, Atlanta Symphony
    Britannia / Runnicles, Atlanta Symphony
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 60677 Release Date: 10/23/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Sir Edward Elgar,  Benjamin Britten,  James MacMillan,  Mark-Anthony Turnage  ... 
    Performer:  Scott Long
    Conductor:  Donald Runnicles
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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  • 24.
    Golijov: Oceana, Etc / Spano, Atlanta SO & Chorus
    Golijov: Oceana, Etc / Spano, Atlanta SO & Chorus
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 000906902 Release Date: 07/10/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Osvaldo Golijov
    Performer:  Luciana Souza,  Jeffrey Zeigler,  David Harrington,  Hank Dutt  ... 
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,  Kronos Quartet,  Gwinnettt Young Singers  ... 
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  • 25.
    Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 5, Etc / Spano, Et Al
    Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 5, Etc / Spano, Et Al
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80676 Release Date: 04/24/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Ralph Vaughan Williams,  Thomas Tallis
    Performer:  Nimon Ford,  Thomas Studebaker,  Kelley O'Connor,  Jessica Rivera  ... 
    Conductor:  Robert Spano
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Atlanta Symphony Chamber Chorus,  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
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