Campus News
March 22, 2010
Maestro's residency spans concerts, contests and conversations
Robert Spano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Music Director Robert Spano steps away from the ASO stage and on to campus March 28–April 18 to begin his three-year appointment as Emory’s Distinguished Artist in Residence. He will participate in five concerts, a “Creativity Conversation,” more than 15 lectures for various courses, Emory ensemble rehearsals and more.
Emory, the ASO and the maestro have just announced several new opportunities surrounding the residency.
A residency highlight is “Harmonic Experience: Metaphysics and Music,” a seminar co-taught by Spano and music professor Steve Everett. It offers a historical exploration of the changing perceptions and extra-musical relationships of music in Western culture with an emphasis on its philosophical, theoretical, mathematical and cosmological foundations. Emory staff editor Hal Jacobs is recording class sessions and writing about them in the Harmonic Experience blog. [http://blogs.emory.edu/harmonicexperience]
“I eagerly anticipate exploring the interdisciplinary nature of music within the vital intellectual environment at Emory,” Spano has said. Spano further explores these topics in public concert/lecture programs featuring Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms beginning April 2.
Consider entering the “Coffee with the Conductor” Contest for the opportunity to personally chat about music, creativity and other topics over a cup of joe with the maestro. To enter, submit a statement of 100 words or less and/or a file containing a video or other piece of creative work showing why you should be selected. Three winners will join Spano at Starbucks in Emory Village. Contest details: www.creativity.emory.edu/robert-spano-residency.
Through the generosity of the ASO, Emory will give away four ASO prize packs. To enter this contest, sign up each time you attend one of the six Spano residency events. The prize includes a pair of tickets to an ASO’s Verdi “Requiem Mass” performance and a CD featuring the ASO’s “La Bohème” performance.
On the heels of his residency, Spano invites employees, students and alumni to “Emory Week at the ASO.” Special deeply discounted tickets to ASO performances of the Verdi Requiem Mass can be purchased at www.atlantasymphony.org/emory.
Vice President and Secretary Rosemary Magee said Emory developed this relationship with Spano because of his “unique contributions to the world of music, to the Atlanta community and the breadth of his intellectual vision.”
Campus events with Spano
Champion of new music and Musical America’s 2008 Conductor of the Year Robert Spano was born in Ohio to a musical family and raised in Indiana. His early interest in flute, violin, piano, composing and conducting led him to Oberlin Conservatory and the Curtis Institute. Emory’s residency is an opportunity to get to know Spano as pianist and educator.
All events free for Emory students, employees, alumni and Friends of Music. Events are held in the Schwartz Center, unless otherwise noted.
• “Mozart: Sonatas for piano and violin,” Spano, piano, and Justin Bruns, violin, April 2, 8 p.m. (lecture 7 p.m.); $20*
• “Beethoven: Sonatas for cello and piano,” Spano, piano, and Daniel Laufer, cello, April 7, noon, free
• Emory Chamber Music Society Emerson Series: Spano, piano, with cellist Christopher Rex for Chopin’s “Cello Sonata” and violist Yinzi Kong for Schumann’s “Pictures from Fairyland,” April 10, 8 p.m., $20
• Creativity Conversation: Spano with Emory V.P. and Secretary Rosemary Magee. April 14, 3 p.m., free, Cannon Chapel*
• Emory Chamber Music Society Noontime Series, “Emory’s Young Artists,” Spano, host, April 16, noon, free, Carlos Museum
• “Brahms: Sonatas for violin and piano,” Spano, piano, and William Pu, violin, April 18, 4 p.m. (lecture 3 p.m.); $20*
*Reception follows
