Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to Honor the Late Robert Shaw

The GRAMMY Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra celebrates the legacy of the late Robert Shaw, who would have turned 100 on April 30, 2016, with a special Centennial Celebration. Shaw served as Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for 21 years (1967-1988), serving as a prominent leader in the Orchestra's success and history. In 1967, Shaw joined the Orchestra, presenting ambitious and difficult concerts, and introducing Atlanta to a wide range of classical music. One of Shaw's greatest legacies is the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and its 200 all-volunteer members, who delight audiences to this day.

On March 10 and 12 at 8:00 p.m., Director of Choruses and Shaw's appointed successor, Norman Mackenzie, will lead the Orchestra, Chamber Chorus and Chorus in a choral tribute to Robert Shaw, featuring Mozart's Mass in C, Brahms' Nänie, Mendelssohn's Elijah and many more.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus will honor Mr. Shaw with the first a cappella concert in Atlanta Symphony Hall on April 3 at 3:00 p.m. The Chamber Chorus will perform what has been considered Rachmaninov's finest achievement, All-Night Vigil ("Vespers").

The world premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff's Zohar will take place on April 14 and 16 at 8:00 p.m. in Atlanta Symphony Hall, and will later premiere in New York's Carnegie Hall on April 30 at 8:00 p.m. This piece was commissioned to celebrate Robert Shaw's centenary, and to honor his ties to both the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Carnegie Hall. This program concludes with Brahms' choral masterpiece Ein deutsches Requiem.

The exclusive premiere of Robert Shaw - Man of Many Voices, will be screened at Symphony Hall on April 24 at 4:00 p.m. The documentary film, narrated by David Hyde-Pierce, chronicles the life and legacy of Mr. Shaw and his impact on the city of Atlanta and the classical music world.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will also host a four day symposium with Chorus America, April 12-15, 2016, centered on the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performance of the Brahms Requiem. Participants will have the opportunity to attend the opening night concert, observe rehearsals from an on-stage perspective, and hear from ASO Music Director Robert Spano and Director of Choruses Norman Mackenzie. This event is only for Chorus America members.

Additional details for each performance or event include:

Delta Classical Series Presents A Shaw Choral Celebration
March 10 and March 12 at 8:00 p.m., Atlanta Symphony Hall

Norman Mackenzie, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

MOZART: Mass in C, "Coronation Mass"
BRAHMS: Nänie
MENDELSSOHN: Heilig
VERDI: Stabat Mater
POULENC: Gloria in Excelsis Deo
DURUFLÉ: Requiem, "Sanctus"
BACH: Mass in B minor, "Gratias"
MENDELSSOHN: Elijah, "And then your light shall break forth"

Special Presentation: Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil ("Vespers"), Op. 37
April 3 at 3:00 p.m., Atlanta Symphony Hall

Norman Mackenzie, conductor
Richard Clement, tenor
Charles Settle, carillonneur
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus
RACHMANINOV: All-Night Vigil ("Vespers"), Op. 37

Spano Conducts World Premiere and Brahms' Famous German Requiem with ASO Chorus
April 14 and 16 at 8:00 p.m., Atlanta Symphony Hall

Robert Spano, conductor
Jessica Rivera, soprano
Nmon Ford, baritone
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

LESHNOFF: Zohar
BRAHMS: A German Requiem

Film Documentary: Robert Shaw - Man of Many Voices
April 24 at 4:00 p.m., Atlanta Symphony Hall

Carnegie Hall Presents The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
April 30 at 8:00 p.m., Carnegie Hall

Robert Spano, conductor
Jessica Rivera, soprano
Nmon Ford, baritone
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

LESHNOFF: Zohar
BRAHMS: A German Requiem

Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 and Symphony No. 2
June 9 and 11 at 8:00 p.m.; June 12 at 3:00 p.m., Atlanta Symphony Hall

Robert Spano, conductor
André Watts, piano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 2
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 2

Tickets to all Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performances at Atlanta Symphony Hall are available online at AtlantaSymphony.org or by calling 404-733-5000. Tickets may also be purchased at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office, located in the Woodruff Arts Center at 15th and Peachtree Streets. Box office hours are; Tuesday through Saturday noon to 6 p.m..; and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

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