American composers John Adams, John Corigliano, Nick Demos, Steve Everett, Michael Gandolfi, Osvaldo Golijov, Mark Grey, Jennifer Higdon, John Anthony Lennon, Jonathan Leshnoff, Richard Prior, Adam Schoenberg, Alvin Singleton and Christopher Theofanidis have written an open letter « in loud support of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its unique and important place in American concert music. »
The composers say: « We unanimously encourage those involved in its management, board and funders to do whatever necessary to keep this great orchestra vital and thriving. The ASO must not be allowed to degrade, piecemeal, into a second-class entity.
We are appalled to see the orchestra’s supremely talented players locked out from playing their concerts while at the same time being asked to accept painful salary cuts and submitting to the reduction in the size and quality of their ensemble. Artistically the Atlanta Symphony is one of the few in the country with a clear vision and proven track record of balancing the creation of new works with the preservation of the old.
The people of Atlanta cannot afford to preside over the slow, remorseless downgrading of its most important artistic institution.
The Woodruff Center and the city of Atlanta have a priceless jewel in the Atlanta Symphony, and they have a responsibility to preserve it. Its loss would be incalculable. »
