Richard Russell Concerts & News

This Place is Moving

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:22:00 +0000

A few years ago I decided to split up my web presence between blog ideas and publicity for my music career. At the time it made sense, but lately I have been struggling to consolidate my web presence again under one roof.

That time is now.

The purpose, pics, news, and info found in this blog will from now on be found at rdrussell.com

Please update your links, RSS feeds, etc at this website:

RDRussell.com

Thank you for staying tuned in! Keep creating.

Lecture at Central School in NJ | Oct. 29, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 03:33:00 +0000

This past Halloween season I presented a lecture and demonstration to young grade schoolers at Central School in East Hanover, NJ. The subject was how the literary tradition of the heroic quest can be found in the music of Beethoven.

I presented the lecture six times in a row to different visiting classes -- you teachers out there know how it is!

A special thanks to all the students who asked such interesting questions ("Where does inspiration come from?" "How long does it take to write a piece of music?" etc.) and to my host, Emily Thompson Schweer.

The Oct 24 Poe Concert: Higher resolution pics

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:53:00 +0000

Here are a few additional pictures from In Mid Air Productions's October 24 concert celebrating Edgar Allan Poe. These photos are by Anthony Shashaty. (Click for larger size)

Dan Foran sings "Annabel Lee"

Dan Foran

Dan Natkie as Edgar Allan Poe, Jessica Castro as Virginia Clemm

Emily Clare Thompson sings "Eldorado"

Emily Clare Thompson and Richard Russell after the concert

Many pics from Oct 24 Edgar Allan Poe concert

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 02:53:00 +0000

By all accounts the Edgar Allan Poe concert in Rockaway, NJ was a huge success, sold-out with people clamoring for standing room only. The crowd seemed to especially like "Annabel Lee" for tenor and piano trio, and I was blessed with an outstanding performance by Daniel Foran, who seemed to own the piece. Also premiered was "Eldorado" sung by Emily Clare Thompson, who was also the day's director (and producer!). And finally, a repeat performance of "A Poe Fantasia" which is in four movements; the first and third movement were sung by Mark Fitzgerald Wilson and Kristine Hart, and interspersed with actors reading Poe's "Ulalume." (Daniel Natkie was Edgar Allan Poe, and Jessica Castro portrayed Virginia Clemm.)

More about the concert, which featured a premiere opera by Robert W. Butts, can be found by clicking here.

Mark Fitzgerald Wilson sings "A Poe Fantasia"

Kristine Hart sings "A Poe Fantasia"

Emily Clare Thompson sings "Eldorado"

Daniel Natkie as Poe, Jessica Castro as Virginia Clemm

Daniel Foran sings "Annabel Lee"

Just some of the reception crowd

New Jersey Daily Record previews Oct 24 Poe concert

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:51:00 +0000

Pamela Stein, soprano

Today the New Jersey Daily Record offers a sneak peek at this Sunday’s Seasonal Sunday Salon "Edgar Allan Poe" concert. No, Andrew Pecota and I did not co-write a piece, but we both have pieces on the concert. The centerpiece of Sunday's concert is a new mini-opera by Robert W. Butts based on Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart.

The article can be read here.

Three Compositions based on Poe poems: Oct 24

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:28:00 +0000

Richard D. Russell will have three pieces performed on October 24, 2010 at the Bell and Barter Theater in Rockaway, NJ. Details are on the poster, please click for a larger view. All of the day's pieces will have a theme tied in with Edgar Allan Poe.

Russell's compositions include "A Poe Fantasia" plus two new premieres: "Eldorado" and "Annabel Lee" both for voice and piano trio.

There will be a premiere of a new mini-opera by Robert Butts, a re-imagining of Poe's classic short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart."

The concert starts at 3pm, and tickets are available for $15 by emailing your total tickets desired to: seasonal.sunday.salons@gmail.com

Tickets at the door are $25, so save $10 by registering early!

A wine and cheese reception is included in the ticket's cost.

"A Law Divine" and Songs from "Hades" on July 25

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:26:00 +0000

Click for a larger size view

On July 25, 2010 In Mid Air Productions presents its next Seasonal Sunday Salon: “Songs of a Sultry Summer: Surrender to the Siren.” The concert will feature several world premieres, with music by Robert Butts, Robert Cohen, and Richard D. Russell. Maestro Butts is the afternoon’s conductor.

Richard Russell's premieres will be "A Law Divine" for baritone and piano trio, a song cycle of three texts: A Red, Red Rose (Burns), Love's Philosophy (Shelley), and Break of Day (Donne).

Also on tap are chamber music arrangements of two songs from Hades, a forthcoming musical drama with lyrics by Emily Clare Thompson and music by Richard Russell.

Tickets are $25 at the door, but a reduced rate of $15 is available if you reserve your ticket by July 23. (Students and seniors are $15, while the early pre-July 23 rate is $10.)

To reserve your spot, email your name, ticket type, and number of tickets to seasonal.sunday.salons@gmail.com. (Questions may also be directed here.)

Two Song Cycles featured in Mannes College of Music Concert

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:30:00 +0000

On June 30, 2010, the Mannes College of Music was treated to some really great performances of two song cycles of mine. Soprano Sofia Dimitrova, accompanied by Sophia Munoz, performed Time is Not an Option. After the intermission, Sofia Dimitrova was joined by mezzo Christina Goyne in premiering Four Shakespeare Songs in Madrigal Style. These scores, by the way, are available at RDRussell.com -- just click on "compositions."

Here's several pics from the evening (click to enlarge).

Sofia Dimitrova, with Sophia Munoz on piano

Sophia Munoz and Richard Russell compare notes

Sofia Dimitrova

Sofia Dimitrova and Christina Goyne

Christina Goyne

Two Richard Russell pieces at Mannes College on June 30

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:58:00 +0000

Christina Goyne

Sofia Dimitrova

Two pieces by Richard Russell will be featured in a concert at Mannes College of Music on June 30, 8pm. Mannes is at 150 West 85th Street in New York, and the concert is free and open to the public.

The first piece is a world premiere of Four Shakespeare Songs in Madrigal Style, featuring soprano Sofia Dimitrova and mezzo Christina Goyne. The second piece is Time is Not an Option, the awarded commission from Voices Up! recently premiered at Fordham University. Hope to see you there!

New Recordings of "Time is Not an Option" Posted

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:39:00 +0000

I've posted a recording of my song cycle "Time is Not an Option" on my main website: www.rdrussell.com. Just click on "listen" in the menu items along the top. The score is also available here.

"Time is Not an Option" was the result of an awarded commission from the Fordham University Voices Up! poetry project. I was paired with poet Elisabeth Frost who is on the faculty at Fordham. The project was refereed by esteemed musicologist Lawrence Kramer.

Bard College provided the terrific musicians: Clarissa Lyons, soprano, and Shun-Yang Lee, piano.

Peter Sheridan performs "Fast Tides, Slow Tides"

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Sun, 30 May 2010 22:24:00 +0000

Peter Sheridan

Peter Sheridan, an Australian-based specialist in low flutes, recently performed my "Fast Tides, Slow Tides" in Portland, Oregon. This was a special arrangement written for him to perform on alto flute. I was not able to be there, but he reports:

I performed Fast tides on Thurs. May 6th at the Old Church in Portland, OR. It was by invitation of the PSU Instrumental Music Club. I gave several lecture demonstrations on the instruments that week and did discuss a few of the 'fantastic' rhythmic complexities of Fast Tides in the class for composers. Again I discussed the piece and demonstrated a few sections on Tues. April 28th at Fresno, Cal State for the flute studio. It is a wonderful work Richard. I would like to record it next year.

You can learn more about Peter Sheridan at http://lowflutes.com/

"A Poe Fantasia" sung in NYCC "Encores" Outreach Program

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:49:00 +0000

The sign says it all!

On Friday May 7, the New York Composers Circle presented an "Encores" Outreach Program at the JASA West Side Community Center on the upper west side of Manhattan. Soprano Sofia Dimitrova, accompanied by Catherine Miller, performed my "A Poe Fantasia" and works by Paul Moravec, Copland, Menotti, Ives, and Kevin McCarter. The NYCC's Executive Director, John de Clef Piñeiro, emceed the event, providing an educational overview of 20th Century art song.

The only problem with these events is that since I'm taking pictures, I don't always get a chance to get a picture of me in there! But here are several pics of the day's event. (Click for larger size.)

Catherine Miller and Sofia Dimitrova relax before the concert

Sofia Dimitrova and Catherine Miller compare notes

NYCC director John de Clef Pineiro addresses the audience

Another view of John de Clef Pineiro

Sofia Dimitrova sings

Two Richard Russell pieces presented at Emily Dickinson concert

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:40:00 +0000

It was more than an Emily Dickinson concert, it was an experience! Jessica Castro as Emily Dickinson read poems, and music by Richard Russell, Raphael Fusco, and Robert Butts provided "a little madness in the spring" last week at the Bell and Barter Theater in Rockaway, NJ. Maestro Butts was the afternoon's conductor.

Soprano Marjorie Berg sang my "The Tune is in the Tree" in a special chamber music arrangement, and soprano Pamela Stein sang "When Time is Over." Aaron Dai was the day's accompanist. A fantastic reception followed, and we are all looking to our July 25 concert, "Songs of a Sultry Summer." For more details on that concert (and more pics), go to In Mid Air Productions. For now, here are several pics from the Emily Dickinson concert. (Click to enlarge.)

Jessica Castro as Emily Dickinson

soprano Pamela Stein with Richard Russell. She sang "When Time is Over"

soprano Marjorie Berg with Robert Butts, conductor, performing "The Tune is in the Tree"

Richard Russell, Marjorie Berg, Bud Masters at the reception

"Time is Not an Option" premieres at Fordham University, April 24, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:37:00 +0000

My new piece, "Time is Not an Option" premiered last Saturday, April 24, at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus. This piece was commissioned by the Poets Out Loud faculty of Fordham. Unfortunately, the Fordham poet I was paired with, Elisabeth Frost, was unable to attend as she is in Europe on a Fulbright scholarship. Fordham's poet-in-residence, Janet E. Kaplan, deputized in the reading of Frost's poems. The esteemed musicologist, Lawrence Kramer, refereed the awarding of commissions, and was the evening's emcee. As well, he offered up some of his own music and poetry.

The musicians came by way of Bard College in upstate New York. Soprano Ilana Zarankin sang many of the other songs this evening, and soprano Clarissa Lyons performed my particular cycle. Shun-Yang Lee was the evening's accompanist.

Other composers on the evening included Martin Hennesey, Mary Anne Joyce-Walter, and Alexander Nohai-Seaman. The poems set to music were written by Edward Hirsch, D. Nurske, Janet Kaplan, and Heather Dubrow.

It was a great concert, so I'm posting a lot of pics here, Click image for a larger size.

Lawrence Kramer

Clarissa Lyons

Shun Yang, piano; Clarissa Lyons

Ilana Zarankin, Clarissa Lyons, Richard Russell

Clarissa Lyons, Shun Yang, Richard Russell

Janet Kaplan, Lawrence Kramer, Richard Russell

Great Rehearsal of "Time is Not an Option" at Bard College

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:51:00 +0000

Ilana Zarankin

Clarissa Lyons

Yesterday I traveled to the beautiful Bard College campus in upstate New York to attend a rehearsal of "Time is Not an Option," which premieres this Saturday. (...with texts by Elisabeth Frost.) I heard a few of the other composers works, too, and I can say this will be a great concert!

I was so impressed with Bard's Olin Hall I took a few pix to share with my iPhone. The sopranos are Ilana Zarankin and Clarissa Lyons, the pianist is Shun-Yang Lee. Each of them are superb.

New Concert Series features Two Richard Russell Compositions

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:36:00 +0000

A special chamber music version of "The Tune is in the Tree" will be performed by soprano Marjorie Berg, and Pamela Stein will sing "When Time is Over" in a concert celebrating the poetry of Emily Dickinson, April 25 at 3pm. This is the inaugural presentation of a new concert series, Seasonal Sunday Salons, housed in the Bell & Barter Theater at 13 Church Street in Rockaway, NJ. (I think this is my New Jersey premiere.) Here's the press release:

In Mid Air Productions presents A Little Madness in the Spring: The Poems of Emily Dickinson. In Mid Air Productions presents its ode to spring as a part of the Seasonal Sunday Salon Series. These are comprised of four yearly concerts which highlight the works of famous poets through reading and songs. The Seasonal Sunday Salons have a strong literary and thematic base and marry traditional and contemporary settings with the works of classic authors.

A Little Madness in the Spring features the poetry of Emily Dickinson and the compositions of contemporary composers, including Robert W. Butts, professor and conductor of the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, and ASCAP award winner, Richard D. Russell, and Raphael Fusco. Performers include sopranos Marjorie Berg and Pamela Stein and pianist Aaron Dai. Also performing are Anthony Bevilacqua, violin, Dan Sagi, clarinet, Andrew Pecota, bassoon, and Nancy Connell, cello. Robert Butts is the day's conductor, and this event is being directed by Emily Clare Thompson.

The Bell and Barter Theater and Cultural Arts Center proudly hosts this event. The Bell and Barter Theater and Cultural Arts Center of Rockaway New Jersey is less that 37 miles and only an hour away from the Lincoln Tunnel. Come join us for a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and an intimate afternoon with Emily Dickinson.

Tickets are $25 at the door, $15 if reserved by April 23. Students and seniors are $15 at the door, $10 if reserved by April 23. For reservations, email your name, ticket type, and number of tickets to seasonal.sunday.salons@gmail.com Ticket price includes a wine and cheese reception.

Sponsored by Seasonal Sunday Salons, In Mid Air Productions

For more info, visit inmidairproductions.wordpress.com or call 201-704-2958

Click the flier for a larger view!

Christina Goyne sings "When Time is Over"

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:33:00 +0000

It was so terrific to hear Christina Goyne perform "When Time is Over" in her recital last night. She's a new singer to my music, and she did a spectacular job, very inspiring. Since she is a mezzo I wrote a special arrangement of the piece for her, but I'll have to write something original for her to perform: She's great. Jason Wirth was the superb and sensitive accompanist. Here's some pics from the evening (click to enlarge).

Jason Wirth accompanies Christina Goyne

Jason Wirth, Christina Goyne

Richard Russell with Christina Goyne after the concert

Richard Russell Awarded a Commission by Fordham University's Poets Out Loud

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:53:00 +0000

Founded in 1992, Fordham University's Poets Out Loud is charged with the mission "...to bring a public audience to Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus and to foster the appreciation, creation, and study of poetry both within the University and in the wider NYC community."

In Fall 2009, Poets Out Loud put out a call for scores for composers interested in collaborating with the poets of their organization. I am delighted to announce that I was awarded a commission for this project, and I was paired with poet Elisabeth Frost. I selected three of her poems and composed a cycle called "Time is Not an Option."

The premiere will be Saturday, April 24 at 7:30pm at Fordham University's Lincoln Center Campus, Columbus Avenue at 60 Street, in the 12th Floor Lounge. The concert is free and open to the public.

The performers will be sopranos Clarissa Lyons and Ilana Zarankin, with Shun-Yang Lee on piano. Other composers on the bill include Martin Hennessy, Alexander Nohai-Seaman, Lawrence Kramer, and Mary Ann Joyce-Walter. In addition to my collaborator, Elisabeth Frost, other featured poets are Heather Dubrow, Edward Hirsch, Janet Kaplan, and D. Nurkse.

Christina Goyne to perform "When Time is Over"

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:38:00 +0000

Mezzo-soprano Christina Goyne will perform a special arrangement of "When Time is Over" on Thursday, April 8, at 8pm. The venue is Christ and St. Stephens at 120 West 69th Street. Also on the program are selections by Gounod, Debussy, and Brahms. The accompanist is Jason Wirth. The concert is free, but pay-what-you-wish donations accepted!

"When Time is Over" presented by NYCC

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:42:00 +0000

I'm a little late in posting a recap, but better late than never! On February 23, 2010, Sofia Dimitrova, accompanied by Tamara Cashour (not pictured) performed "When Time is Over" in a concert presented by the New York Composers Circle. The venue here is Saint Peters Church at the Citigroup Building. I was delighted to see so many old and new friends at the concert.

Addressing the audience

Sofia Dimitrova

After the concert congratulations!

As is the habit of the NYCC, I was asked to say a few words about the piece beforehand. Instead, I couldn't help but remark this is the second time the NYCC has asked me to open a concert with a piece that is rather dark in tone. (The first time was "Three Elegies" at Symphony Space, back in 2007, performed by Tiffany DuMouchelle and percussionist Stephen Solook.) It doesn't seem like the best idea to open a concert with pieces along the lines of "Three Elegies" or "When Time is Over!" So I joked that if you want someone to open your concert with one of those slow, meditative, ruminative pieces about life and death, I'm obviously your go-to guy! Fortunately, the audience got the joke. Here's some pics and, because of the low lighting, apologies for the quality! (Click images for larger size.)

When Time is Over to be performed Feb 23, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:17:00 +0000

Here is the flier advertising the next New York Composers Circle concert, Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010. This concert will feature soprano Sofia Dimitrova with pianist Tamara Cashour performing my four-song cycle of Emily Dickinson texts, "When Time is Over." Many other performers and composers are on the concert, too, including esteemed composer Ezra Laderman. Click on the image for a more complete list. The venue is Saint Peters at the Citigroup Center, Lexington Avenue and 54th Street. The concert starts at 8pm, and there is a suggested donation of $20. A reception will follow; hope to see you there!

"A Poe Fantasia" premieres

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:52:00 +0000

I had been battling a cold (or something) all week, but I couldn't miss the premiere of my new composition, "A Poe Fantasia" this past Tuesday, Feb 2, 2010. Soprano Sofia Dimitrova and accompanist Catherine Miller provided a compelling interpretation to my settings of the great poet Edgar Allan Poe: A Dream Within a Dream, To the River, and Alone. Here are some pics from the evening; the venue was Saint Peters Church at the Citigroup Center. (Click on pics for larger size.)

Catherine Miller, piano, and Sofia Dimitrova, soprano

Sofia Dimitrova

Sofia Dimitrova and Richard Russell

Three Elegies selected for NYCC presentation at Bronx Science HS

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:43:00 +0000

My piece, Three Elegies, was chose for performance at the Bronx Science High School on January 6, 2010, and I answered a few questions from the students. Here is the blurb as written by the NYCC executive director, John de Clef Piñeiro.

On January 6, 2010, the NYCC gave two back-to-back recitals, each lasting a full school period, to nearly 200 students and their music faculty at the Bronx High School of Science (the NYCC's first Community Encores recital in a school venue to teenagers). In a survey of art songs spanning the last 100 years, soprano Sofia Dimitrova and pianist Catherine Miller, with introductions and commentary by executive director, John de Clef Piñeiro, presented samples of the new music vocal repertoire of Charles Ives, Aaron Copland, Gian Carlo Menotti, as well as music by current and former NYCC member composers. Notably, Composer Member Richard Russell was on hand to introduce and comment on the composition of his Three Elegies, and to answer questions from the audience. Both presentations were very well received and the NYCC was invited back by the faculty to give other future recitals. This first outreach recital of 2010 is part of an expanded series of outreach programs that the NYCC will present during the spring.

Here are some pics; click for larger size.

"A Poe Fantasia" to premiere Feb 2, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:30:00 +0000

In an upcoming recital, Soprano Sofia Dimitrova will premiere a new song cycle of mine, "A Poe Fantasia," based on poems of Edgar Allan Poe. The concert will be Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 8pm and takes place at Saint Peter's Church in the Citigroup Building, Lexington Avenue and 54th Street. Sofia will be joined by accompanist Catherine Miller, and her sister, violinist Stanichka Dimitrova. Pieces on the evening include compositions by 2002 Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Moravec, György Kurtág, David Tcimpidis, and Evan Lewis. The suggested donation is $10. (Click the image for a larger view of the flier.)

Marjorie Berg premieres "Tune is in the Tree"

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Russell) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:53:00 +0000

Once again I must count my good fortune at the inspired talents I have come to know. Last Sunday, 8 November, soprano Marjorie Berg and accompanist Raphael Fusco premiered my piece "The Tune is in the Tree: Five Nature Songs of Emily Dickinson." Marjorie shared with me that she doesn't like the kinds of recitals where one piece after another comes and goes with no context. Indeed, she pieced together a recital with a curator's eye. The theme of the afternoon was nature, and Marjorie shared stories of the composers, their interest in nature, and how the pieces came to be composed. The accompanist, Raphael Fusco, happens to be a terrific composer and his piece "Nature's Communion" was premiered as well. Credit and thanks to Marjorie for supporting and presenting new music. Here are two pics from the afternoon.

Marjorie has asked me to arrange my piece for a small ensemble, so look for this in the year 2010.