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October 19, 2009
ASO leader to be Artist in Residence

Staff Reports

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Music Director Robert Spano has been appointed an Emory University Distinguished Artist in Residence. On the orchestra’s 65th anniversary season, Spano’s residency marks the latest in a series of connections between Emory, the maestro and the ASO.

“The appointment of Robert Spano supports Emory’s artistic and creative goals,” says President Jim Wagner. “Spano is an invaluable asset to Emory and the Southeast, and, on a global level, a key figure in the arts. He brings to Emory a wealth of knowledge in a wide spectrum of areas and will bring new strength to the artistic collaborations between our academic community and the greater Atlanta community.”

He’ll join the University in March 2010 and will co-teach seminars, lecture and present programs on literature, philosophy, science and musicology for three weeks during each of the spring semesters of 2010–2012.

Spano, who received an honorary doctorate in music from Emory at Commencement 2009, will participate in a wide-ranging interdisciplinary dialogue as he co-teaches and actively participates in Emory’s scholarly community through colloquia and the “Creativity Conversations” series.

Spano’s residency is part of Emory’s Creativity: Art & Innovation efforts. In addition to performance and lecturing responsibilities, Spano will guest lecture for a number of courses within the Department of Music and work with students of the Emory University Symphony Orchestra and Emory Wind Ensemble. View a listing of Spano’s 2010 public residency activities at arts.emory.edu.

His first co-teaching effort is with Emory music professor Steven Everett on metaphysics and the origins of music. “The roots of our Western musical language are extremely close to the study of metaphysics,” says Spano. “I eagerly anticipate exploring the interdisciplinary nature of music within the vital intellectual environment at Emory, and am deeply honored to have been invited to collaborate with this dynamic academic community.”

With a discography of nine recordings and six Grammy Awards with the ASO, Spano has led the New York and Los Angeles philharmonics; the San Francisco, Boston, Cleveland, Chicago and Philadelphia symphony orchestras, among others.

He has performed at Emory several times over the years, including a piano performance honoring the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta’s 10th anniversary in 2003 and taking part in Candler Concert Series in 2002 and 2006.

The residency is made possible by funds especially designated to foster these kinds of significant collaborations and partnerships for the benefit of Emory students, scholars and the University as a whole.