Robert Shaw’s Lawyer On ASO Maestro’s Divisive Years

Bob Edge was the personal lawyer and dear friend of former Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conductor Robert Shaw. Past chairman of the Spivey Foundation, he has also been a great supporter of the Atlanta art scene.

Before Shaw arrived, Atlanta had a pitiful artistic landscape. A young city with limited wealth accumulation, Atlanta did not have much money invested in the arts. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra played in a municipal building, which was shared with various sports organizations and the circus.

When Shaw arrived, the city was seeing a shift.

Edge said, “It was a terrific to get such a world famous musician. There was a lot of excitement around that.”

Shaw’s tenure, though, faced some trying times and a divided board.

“He was a champion of contemporary music so he decided he would have a season featuring a combination of Brahms and Charles Ives,” Edge said. “The dramatic event occurred when the executive committee of the board decided to fire Robert without the consultation of the whole board.”

The board reversed the decision after Shaw’s admirers on the board and the community joined forces and bought every ticket for the upcoming season.

Edge said the board remained divided for a number of years, but the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra began and grew from a community ensemble to an internationally respected group.

As his lawyer, Edge represented Shaw when negotiating fees and contracts. Shaw did not share his contemporaries’ desires for jet-setting and glamour. He was in an age where a notable conductor could make a fortune guest conducting, but Edge said money did not seem to be a driving force for him.

“He was unbelievably generous,” said Edge. “Robert would have a former student or someone who sung with him who was developing a program in Idaho or whatever, and Robert would go out to strengthen their program with a workshop. He did that all the time free of charge.”