But there is a beaming ray of light amongst all the rain. Just after Spano’s January announcement of leave, the ASO’s 30-year-old assistant conductor Stephen Mulligan stepped in halfway through a concert for the orchestra’s indisposed music director.

The Fellows will work alongside Dudamel and musicians of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as visiting artists and conductors, and will also work with students in key LA Phil education programs.

Penny Van Horn, Board Chair of The Solti Foundation U.S. and Elizabeth Buccheri, Artistic and Awards Committee Chair, today announced the names of the eight recipients of the 2018 Solti Foundation Career Assistance Awards.

After intermission, the concert was rounded out with a non-Italian composer’s symphonic take on the country, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 (nicknamed, naturally, “Italian”). Mulligan and the ASO gave it a forthright, vibrant rendering.

The final work was Strauss’ 1889 tone poem, Death and Transfiguration. The four parts of the work describe a dying man’s reflections on life, its struggles, and his ultimate transformation upon death. The music is magnificent, chilling, inspirational and personal. Mulligan and the ASO seemed to revel in its gorgeous sound and played it to its dramatic fullness.

Like a back-up quarterback, it is Mulligan's job to be prepared to conduct every performance. He has now filled in three times over the past six weeks.

Mulligan excelled in his pinch-hitting role, leading the ASO through proper readings of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and the two concertos.

He was engaging to watch and he coaxed a stellar performance from the ASO and the wonderful guest artists. This was a great opportunity for Mulligan to introduce himself to Atlanta audiences and he took full advantage of it.