Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Selects Conductor

Robert Spano, conductor of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, will succeed Yoel Levi as conductor of the Atlanta Symphony. Levi was conductor for 12 years, ably following in the footsteps of the great Robert Shaw.

Additionally, Donald Runnicles was named principal guest conductor. In what the New York Times described as an "unusual wrinkle", the two will work together in planning the Symphony's programs. Normally, the conductor would be deeply involved in selecting his principal guest conductor. The apparent idea is that Runnicles will help rein in some of Spano's more avant garde styles for the more conservative Atlanta arts community.