ArtsCriticATL.com

In the past two weeks, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra programs have looked routine — stock groupings, on paper, of 19th- and Romantic 20th-century works that are pleasing to the ear and would likely prompt the more conservative subscribers to exclaim, soothingly, Now wasn’t that nice! Last week’s concert flipped expectation, thanks to the dazzling insights and [...]

Strange, unexpected happenings in Symphony Hall. A conductor cancels, an unknown, middle-aged violinist proves himself a major international talent, and a routine program turns electrifying. First the maestros. Nicola Luisotti, music director of the San Francisco Opera, was scheduled to conduct this week’s Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concerts. His return was keenly anticipated as the orchestra [...]

Atlanta Opera’s “Così fan tutte” is a night of impeccable singing from every single member of the young cast. Mozart’s masterpiece has arias for each of its six singers, and much more in the way of ensembles of every description. All came across with great distinction Tuesday at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. There [...]

In April 1944, composer and folklorist Bela Bartok was in Asheville, North Carolina, convalescing from the leukemia that would kill him 18 months later. Outside his window he heard the song of the eastern towhee, which seemed to sing “drink your tee-e-e-e” — first an eight note (“drink”), then another a fifth lower in pitch [...]

Nico Muhly is white-hot just now, a 29-year-old New York composer with an ear-friendly and disciplined aesthetic, big-label CDs and commissions hither and yon. His latest will be given its world premiere Saturday at Kennesaw State University’s Bailey Center with the new-music sextet Eighth Blackbird. The concert is the finale of KSU’s weeklong Festival of [...]

This week’s Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concerts include another world premiere celebrating Robert Spano’s decade as music director. But the program doesn’t follow the pattern of the six previous fanfares. Spano won’t be on the podium, for one thing, and the composer does not boast a portfolio of major orchestral commissions. Michael Kurth joined the ASO’s double [...]