The American Symphony Orchestra (ASO) fills a wonderfully specific niche in the greater classical music community, particularly stateside. The ASO seeks to perpetuate the legacy of rare and neglected compositions of the classical canon. This commitment inevitably leads to many United States and New York premieres. The ensemble also functions as the resident orchestra of the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College in upstate New York.
The orchestra’s website is a veritable wealth of information and the perfect complement to live ASO performances—from extensive program notes from Music Director Leon Botstein to the monthly “Rare Finds” feature to links of more than 150 archived live recordings, including Richard Wagner’s Das Liebesmahl der Apostel, Leos Janácek’s Sinfonietta, William Grant Still’s Africa, and Aaron Copland’s Grohg.
American Symphony Orchestra Information
- Venues: Carnegie Hall (881 7th Avenue); Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95th Street)
- Public Transportation: Very good for both. Carnegie Hall (easily accessible by subway lines N, Q, and R at 57th Street/7th Avenue; B, D, and E at 7th Avenue; F at 57th Street; and buses M5, M7, M20, M31, M57, and M104). Symphony Space (easily accessible by subway lines 1, 2, and 3 at 96th Street and buses M7, M11, M96, M104, and M106)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good for all locations
- Performances/Programs: Six Vanguard Series performances; three Classics Declassified (lecture/concert) Series performances
- Ticket Prices: Regular admission is $25
- Subscriptions: Pick three Vanguard Series concerts for $66 or all six in the series for $120; all three Classics Declassified concerts for $66; a combined package of all three Classics concerts and your pick of three or more Vanguard concerts for $120 or more, depending on number of concerts. Preferred seating available with a donation of any amount
- Donor Levels: Orchestra Club ($60 or $100); Stokowski Circle ($250 or $500); Sustaining Society ($1,000 or $5,000). Depending on amount, benefits include program recognition, priority subscription seating, invitation to events, and more.
