ATLANTA --Today, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and Music Director Robert Spano announced the first phase of the reimagining of its fall 2020 season, responding to the advice of medical professionals and public health officials in order to minimize exposure to COVID-19 for performers, staff and audiences. Under these conditions, all first-phase reimagined concerts in the Delta Classical Series through December 31, 2020 will be performed without a live audience and will be available to view and enjoy on the ASO’s Virtual Stage. The programs will be comprised of smaller orchestral ensembles and will feature Music Director Robert Spano, Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, selected guest conductors and artists, and ASO members as soloists.

Our patrons, donors and subscribers have shared with us how much they need the music of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, now more than ever, just as our musicians have expressed how important it is to bring comfort and connection to people during these uncertain times. At this time, the safest way to perform and engage with our community is through virtual performances. These programs are just the first phase of reimagining the fall season; stay tuned for announcements of smaller outdoor performances with live socially distanced audiences.

Jennifer Barlament, Executive Director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

The following is an overview of the specific changes for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s fall 2020 concerts.

• There will be seven concerts in the reimagined Delta Classical Series this fall. Performances will be led by Music Director Robert Spano, Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles and guest conductor Nathalie Stutzmann.
• Featured guest artists will include violinist Gil Shaham, pianist Louis Lortie, double-bassist and Talent Development Program alumnus Xavier Foley, as well as Atlanta Symphony Orchestra musicians Principal Cello Rainer Eudeikis and Principal Bassoon Andrew Brady.
• Three previously scheduled performances are cancelled: the September 12 Symphony Gala Concert featuring pianist Daniil Trifonov, the ASO 50th Anniversary Choral Celebration on October 15, and the October 17 performance with Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho.
• Due to the instrumentation and vocalists required on stage, the ASO will not perform the beloved Christmas with the ASO or Handel’s Messiah in December. New reimagined holiday programs for the Virtual Stage will be announced shortly.
• Finally, all education and family programs will move to the virtual format, including performances for school age children, the Family Concert Series, Music for the Very Young performances and much more.

As musicians, our greatest joy is to share our love of music with our audiences, and we have missed them terribly. We’ve also missed gathering on stage to make music together. We can’t wait to connect with all of you again this fall, even if it’s done virtually. We’re thrilled to feature several of our principal musicians as well as an incredible Talent Development Program alumnus. We look forward to welcoming music lovers not only from Atlanta, but from around the world, to our Virtual Stage this fall.

Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Music Director

Subscribers will have exclusive access to this collection of concerts. The ASO will share opportunities beyond the subscriber community to enjoy the music of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on the Virtual Stage in the coming weeks. The ASO is investing in and installing a new robotic camera system at Atlanta Symphony Hall, which will allow for a steady stream of content with enhanced audio and video quality.

I applaud our ASO leadership, staff and musicians for their creativity and dedication to finding new and different ways to perform and engage with our community, as we navigate our way through the pandemic. The ASO team is collaborating tirelessly to create imaginative musical experiences on the Virtual Stage and to safely gather the community for exciting live performances at socially distant, outdoor venues. The ASO Board is confident that the ASO will emerge even stronger through the COVID-19 crisis.

Janine Brown, Board Chair of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

The ASO will continue to monitor the ever-changing environment and will make an announcement by year-end regarding concerts scheduled for January through June 2021. Visit aso.org to view the reimagined virtual season.

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About the Virtual Stage

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Virtual Stage is a central hub of engaging online content featuring insightful interviews, on-demand concerts, educational programs, archival content and more. The specially curated content is designed to bring audiences closer to the music and the ASO musicians while we're apart.

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About the Talent Development Program

As one of the longest-running, year-round musical education diversity programs, the Talent Development Program (TDP) provides young African American and Latinx musicians with the highest level of musical training each school year. More than 125 TDP Fellows have gone on to attend top music schools and conservatories across the country. This strong education foundation has led to careers in orchestra, teaching and performance. 

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About the ASO

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra continues to affirm its position as one of America’s leading orchestras with excellent live performances, renowned guest artist features and engaging education initiatives. As a cornerstone for artistic development in the Southeast, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs a full schedule of more than 150 concerts, including educational and community concerts, each year for a combined audience of more than a quarter million people.

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Updated Delta Classical Series Schedule – Fall 2020

Violin Superstar Gil Shaham Opens the ASO’s 2020/21 Season with Music Director Robert Spano Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, 8:00 p.m.

• Robert Spano, conductor
• Gil Shaham, violin
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
• BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5
• BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto

Robert Spano Leads an All-Mozart Program Featuring Pianist Louis Lortie Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, 8:00 p.m.

• Robert Spano, conductor
• Louis Lortie, piano
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
• MOZART: The Magic Flute Overture
• MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 16 MOZART: Symphony No. 41

Principal Cello Rainer Eudeikis Performs Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D major with Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, 8:00 p.m.

• Donald Runnicles, conductor
• Rainer Eudeikis, cello
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
• HAYDN: Symphony No. 60, “Il distratto”
• HAYDN: Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major
• BRAHMS: Variations on a Theme by Haydn

Principal Bassoon Andrew Brady Performs Hertel Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, 8:00 p.m.

• Robert Spano, conductor
• Andrew Brady, bassoon
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
• HERTEL: Bassoon Concerto in A minor
• BACH: Orchestral Suite No. 3 HANDEL: Water Music Suite No. 2

Talent Development Program Alumnus, Double-Bassist Xavier Foley Joins the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra November 14, 2020, 8:00 p.m.

• TBD, conductor
• Xavier Foley, bass
• WEBER: Der Freischütz Overture
• DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 8 Additional programming to be announced

Robert Spano Conducts Ravel and Brahms Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, 8:00 p.m.

• Robert Spano, conductor
• Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano
• RAVEL: Le tombeau de Couperin
• RAVEL: Shéhérazade
• BRAHMS: Serenade No. 2 in A major

Nathalie Stutzmann Makes Her ASO Debut Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, 8:00 p.m.

• Nathalie Stutzmann, conductor
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
• MENDELSSOHN: Hebrides Overture
• WAGNER: Siegfried Idyll
• BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7