By Mark Davis
"We've made this decision with a great deal of reluctance," said Atlanta Symphony Orchestra President & CEO Stanley E. Romanstein. "Cancelling concerts is the last thing any of us wants to do, but to respect the schedules of our patrons, guest artists, artistic partners and our 200-member volunteer chorus, we feel we have no other choice."
The ASO's musicians were surprised to learn the season had been cancelled, said cellist Joel Dallow. He's a member of the negotiating committee of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Players' Association. Most assumed they'd play while both sides tried to work out their differences, he said.
Dallow said he thought executives and musicians might work out their differences with the help of a federal contract mediator. The ASO announcement changed that.
“We had no notion they would cancel, especially large chunks of weeks,” he said.
Monday afternoon, as word about the cancellation spread, Sally Kann and other ASO supporters hustled to ready Terminal West for the ensemble's evening performance. The performers, she said, would continue playing with or without ASO's management's support.
“This is a world-class orchestra that is out on the streets,” said Kann, who’s performed in the ASO Chorus for 13 years. “This is shameful.”
Read more details about the ASO and musicians contract dispute.
Here's a list of the affected concerts
- Opening Weekend - Sept. 25, 27 and 28
- Beethoven 9 – Oct. 2, 4 and 5
- Beethoven 6 – Oct. 9 and 11
- Lang Lang – Oct. 15
- Ravel – Oct. 16 and 18
- POPS! Jason Alexander – Oct. 24 and 25
- FAMILY Halloween – Oct 25
- Grieg – Nov. 6, 7 and 8
What the ASO says to do if you have tickets:
The AJC staff will continue to update this story.
