Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
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VIEW FROM THE TOP continued on page 57 A major part of Spano's job will be to train young conductors, one of Aspen's proudest enduring accomplishments. A major part of Spano's job will be training young conductors, one of Aspen's proudest enduring accomplishments. He has nothing but praise for the town's American Academy of Conducting. "It's just the best setup I've seen anywhere for the training of conductors," he says. "All I want to do is tweak it here and there, try to make something brilliant even better." Born in Ohio, raised in Indiana, and a graduate of the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music, the 51-year-old Spano comes to Aspen after 10 years at the Atlanta Symphony, and a career distinguished by success, experimentation, and public acclaim. He is known for his lifelong commitment to contempo- rary American music. In Atlanta he developed a stable of first-rate composers, all of whom say Spano is their first choice as conductor and inter- preter of their work. What is it about composers that excites him? "I've been unable to get Mozart on the telephone," he jokes. "The great thing about living composers is that they're around to interact with, and they enrich the tradition out of which we're working. There is so much new music going on. The scene is so rich, so vital, that it's kind of overwhelming." Alan Fletcher, president and CEO of the Aspen Music Festival and School, speaks in measured tones and carefully considers everything he says. Hence, it is doubly exciting to hear his enthusiasm for the Spano appointment. "I see nothing but great things ahead for us," he says. "Robert is a phenomenal musician, thinker, and person, and his appointment as music director in Aspen heralds the beginning of a new era for the Festival. Robert is known for his electrifying performances in the concert hall, as well as a sincere dedication and devotion to teaching, which makes him a perfect fit for us." In person, Spano projects power but is not intimidating, which may be why musicians love him, particularly young ones. Gone are the days of the martinet conductor whose word is law; Spano is a forward thinker who demonstrates a collegial attitude toward those who play for him. Although he certainly will lead from the front, it appears that he will take his Aspen colleagues—students, musicians, teachers, and administration—along with him. AP The maestro's notes on George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. FORWARD THINKER Notes from a master teacher what's on his mind "Aspen... all it can be and how excited I am to be there this summer." on what inspires him "Great art, great performers, great thinkers, and great places." his best investment "My mountain retreat in northern Georgia." best advice he's received "Talent is a responsibility, from my Spano's passion inspires students and audiences at the Aspen Festival Orchestra concert in July 2011. "Max Rudolf's score of La Boheme." first piano teacher, Ray Barbour." his favorite keepsake his performance checklist "Make sure everyone is on stage!" With Daniel Stewart, recipient of the 2010 Aspen Music Festival's James Conlon Conducting Prize. 58 ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARL WOLFGANG (MUSIC); ALEX IRVIN (CONCERT)