On September 9 and 10 at 8 pm, Georgia Tech’s contemporary music ensemble Sonic Generator will perform in the Atlanta premiere of Maá—an evening-length performance at Atlanta Symphony Hall.

In this first-of-its-kind collaboration among Sonic Generator, contemporary dance troupe gloATL and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Maestro Robert Spano, the audience will be immersed into a panoramic, grass-covered landscape with a 360-degree experience of music, dance and theatrical design. Seating is limited—tickets may be purchased at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office at 404.733.5000 or online.

Maá is an original interpretation of the renowned Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s music composition of the same name, which translates to “earth.” Saariaho’s work blends the use of electronics and traditional instruments and is marked by its emphasis on timbre; Maá is widely considered to be among her most important compositions.

“We are excited to share this exhilarating work with Atlanta audiences,” said Jason Freeman, assistant professor in the Georgia Tech School of Music and executive director of Sonic Generator. “Georgia Tech is an international leader in arts and technology research, and this production demonstrates our commitment to bringing the unique expertise of our faculty and students to the concert stage to present compelling performances in collaboration with the most talented artists in the city.”

Now in its sixth year, Sonic Generator uses technology to transform the ways in which we compose, perform and listen to music. The group is sponsored by Georgia Tech’s GVU Center, College of Architecture, and School of Music, bringing the best professional classical musicians from around Atlanta to campus to collaborate with students and faculty and incorporate new research into live performance. 

gloATL Dancemaker Lauri Stallings will choreograph and stage the work for seven principal dancers, the musicians and Maestro Spano, who will conduct the entire Maá environment. A large physical chorus of dancers from gloLAB and Kennesaw State University’s Department of Dance will complete the cast.

Stallings also assembled the creative team, including Bruce Harlan, Lighting Designer; Adam Larsen, Multi-Media Artist; Anne Patterson, Scenic Designer; Tian Justman, Costume Designer; and Richard Carvlin, Production Manager.