Elizabeth Koch Tiscione reflects on 17 years with the ASO

Elizabeth Tiscione talks to Lois Reitzes about celebrating 50 years of ASO broadcasts on WABE. (Rand Lines Photography)

Elizabeth Koch Tiscione joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as principal oboist in 2007-2008 season. During those years, the orchestra made 18 commercial recordings — mainly with music director laureate Robert Spano, in addition to those with then-guest conductor Sir Donald Runnicles, and most recently a new release with music director Nathalie Stutzmann conducting.

Tiscione recently joined Lois Reitzes on “City Lights” as part of our series celebrating 50 years of ASO broadcasts on WABE.

Reflecting on highlights, Tiscione recalls Robert Spano’s final concert as music director in 2022, featuring Mahler’s “Third Symphony.”



“It was magical and beautiful,” she said. “We were playing for him with so much love on stage, I’ll never forget that feeling.”

Another standout for her was a performance of “Rosenkavalier Suite” under the direction of Nathalie Stutzmann.

“The orchestra became one unit with her. It was like we were flying,” she said.

One of Tiscione’s career milestones was performing the Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto in 2020, just before the pandemic. “It was a dream come true,” she said. “Vaughan Williams’ music has this bittersweet nostalgia that resonates deeply with me.”

Tune in above to hear the more of Tiscione’s favorites as we celebrate 50 years of ASO/WABE love!