History of the ASO Radio Broadcasts

October 18, 2024
By: Bob Scarr, ASO Archivist

This year marks the Atlanta Symphony’s 50th anniversary of broadcasting our classical series concert recordings on WABE, 90.1 FM. For over five decades, WABE has been instrumental in disseminating these recordings, providing a platform for the orchestra to showcase their talent to a broader audience who could listen from the comfort of their homes. Follow me as we take a step back in time highlighting memorable moments of this remarkable collaboration.

The Early Years 1974-88
The first performance on WABE was the opening night of the 1974-75 season. On September 21, 1974, Robert Shaw led the Orchestra in a program featuring three works of Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3; Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra and Symphony No. 5. WABE’s Jonathan Phelps selected the works and movements to broadcast but there was no music editing in the early years. Former Atlanta Journal Constitution Music Critic Derrick Henry wrote, “Up to now, the concerts had been recorded from a van outside Symphony Hall, and the broadcast product had been virtually unedited, replete with musical mistakes and audience noises.”

The ASO understood the importance of radio broadcasts and how it could build a bridge to larger audiences, enhancing its national reputation. Yoel Levi became Music Director in the fall of 1988 and, along with Jonathan Martin and support from other donors, installed the ASO’s own soundproof control room with state-of-the-art digital sound equipment at the back of Symphony Hall.

“The broadcast recordings of the ASO have served as educational tools, allowing aspiring musicians and students to study and learn from the orchestra's performances. By making these recordings accessible to the public, the orchestra and WABE radio have contributed to the enrichment of Atlanta's musical community, inspiring the next generation of musicians and music lovers. This brings us to a very familiar name in Atlanta and across the state.” – Lois Reitzes, WABE, 90.1 FM.

Reitzes is a well-known journalist and popular radio host in Atlanta. She hosts the daily radio program "City Lights with Lois Reitzes" on Atlanta's NPR station, WABE. Reitzes has been with WABE since 1979 and has won numerous awards for her work in radio broadcasting. She is known for her in-depth interviews with artists, musicians, and other cultural figures. Lois Reitzes took over as the host of the ASO broadcasts in 1992, creating the script and final productions that aired on WABE.

GPB
Since 2006, the ASO has partnered with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) to broadcast performances by the orchestra across the state on GPB Radio. Terrance McKnight was the first host of the show he named “The ASO on GPB” which showcased the regular classical series concerts for radio broadcasts. Today, the success of the series continues and is led by host Sarah Zaslaw who joined GPB in 1998.

These days The ASO on GPB can be heard on the all-digital GPB Classical stream and over terrestrial radio. And GPB's collaborations with the symphony extend well beyond audio. Through the years the organization has produced and shared special ASO events, holiday concerts, documentaries and other video projects featuring the orchestra on GPB Television and its online platforms.

Things Get Sticky
In the mid-2000s, the ASO knew they faced the challenge of deteriorating reel-to-reel tapes used to record from 1974-1988. This problem occurs due to the deterioration of the binder used to hold the magnetic particles on the tape. As the binder breaks down, it can cause the tape layers to stick together, making it difficult to play or even transfer the audio without damaging the tape.

Realizing the importance of preserving these recordings, the ASO took action to save their reel-to-reel audio files. The ASO contacted its long-time partner, Bob Woods of Telarc International. Over the years, Telarc built a remarkable and diverse catalog of recordings with the ASO, transferring the content from the fragile reel-to-reel tapes to a digital format. It took over five years, from 2012-2017. This preservation effort was made possible by many people, but it’s worth highlighting one individual who made it all possible - ASO Board Member, John White. John provided the funding and worked to attract matching funds from Coca-Cola, highlighting the ASO’s commitment to honoring its legacy and sharing its music with WABE and GPB audiences for years to come.

The 50th anniversary of the broadcast recordings of the ASO is a testament to the enduring partnership between the orchestra and WABE radio. Their collaboration has helped promote classical music, enrich the cultural life of Atlanta, and inspire generations of music enthusiasts. We look forward to hearing from our readers about your favorite ASO performances. Please feel free to reach out to bob.scarr@atlantasymphony.org with your questions or comments.

Notable Recordings Over the Years:

May 1976. Heitor Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 with soloist Mattiwilda Dobbs Janzon, soprano

April 1983. Shostakovich conducts Shostakovich
As the son of Dmitri Shostakovich, Maxim Shostakovich had a deep connection to his father's music. His performances of his father's music are highly regarded for their authenticity, emotional depth and personal touch to his interpretations of his father’s music.

May 19-21, 1988, Robert Shaw, Conductor, Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, Op. 125
Beethoven's monumental Symphony No. 9, with its famous"Ode to Joy" finale, would have been a powerful and moving performance under Robert Shaw's direction. This was considered his final concert as ASO Music Director, although he led the Orchestra on a European Tour later.

November 3-5, 1988, Robert Shaw, Conductor, Britten: War Requiem, Op. 66
This recording was, at the time, the largest undertaking of the recording team, successfully capturing this massive composition with the ASO chorus.