Joseph M Russo - Composer / Double Bassist

US Premiere of Trombone Quartet "Seasides"

2013-05-15T17:46:00.004-07:00

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 7:45pm in the Recital Hall of the Neighborhood Music School (NMS) in New Haven, Connecticut Russo's trombone quartet "Seasides" will be given its US premiere. The address of NMS is 100 Audubon St, New Haven, CT 06510. The program will also include works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Scheidt, Hornoff, R. Strauss, Puccini, and Ewald. The performers will be the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra Trombone Section, that being Terrence Fay, Mark Weaver, Victor Johnson and Wesley Mayhew. The title of the recital will be "Emotion of the Waves", This recital is free and open to the public.

If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound file of this three movement work you may do so by clicking here.

New Bass Quartet

2013-04-29T20:20:00.003-07:00

Russo recently completed work on a one movement double bass quartet -- which can also be performed by a large bass ensemble. He created this piece for friend Susan Powell and her Hartt Community Division Student Bass Ensemble. Her bass ensemble will give the world premiere performance of Bass Quartet on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Hartt College, Connecticut. If you would like to listen to a computer generated rendition of this music click here.

Basses At Play!

Saturday, May 25, 5:00 pm, Berkman Recital Hall

If you would like to hear some basses in action, come to our great Bass Ensemble concert on Saturday, May 25 at 5:00 pm in Berkman Recital Hall. We will perform an eclectic mix of composers including the Turtles and Mahler. Plus we’re premiering a brand new work written for us by Connecticut composer, Joseph Russo! We will have some exciting, special guests joining us as well. Admission is free.

Septet "Distant Light" to be performed on Sunday, April 14, 2013

2013-04-03T09:26:00.003-07:00

Russo's Septet "Distant Light" for flute, clarinet, harp and string quartet will be performed at Connetquot Library on Sunday, April 14th at 2pm. The concert location address is: 760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia, NY. Phone number: 631 567-5079. The concert is free and open to the public.
If you would like to listen to a recording of this piece click here.

Successful World Premiere Performance of Second Symphony

2013-03-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

Orchestra New England gave a very successful world premiere performance of Russo's Second Symphony. The performance was given at Battell Chapel in New Haven on Saturday, March 23, 2013 with James Sinclair conducting.. Russo performed in the bass section for this performance.

Here are some photos of the evening:

Both photos show Joseph Russo with conductor and long time friend James Sinclair after the first performance of Russo's Second Symphony.

Successful World Premiere Performance of "Mourning Mist"

2013-03-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday evening, March 20, 2013 members of the Guitar Festival at Long Island University (Harris Becker, director) gave a successful performance of Russo's quintet "Mourning Mist" for guitar and string quartet. To view the video of the performance click here. To listen to the sound file of the performance click here.
The work is scheduled to be performed again at the Guitar Festival near Quebec, Canada this coming summer.

New Work for Two Cellos

2013-01-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

Russo just completed work on "Dynamic Duo" for Two Cellos -- this one movement work has optional actions by both cellists -- the piece can be performed with or without the optional actions. This music was composed for Russo's good friends Carolyn Schwartz Engle and Thomas Hudson.
If you would like to hear a computer generated sound file (without actions) of this piece you may do so by clicking here.

"Mourning Mist" World Premiere Scheduled for March 2013

2012-10-13T22:06:00.002-07:00

Russo's quintet "Mourning Mist" for guitar and string quartet will be given its world premiere performance at the Long Island Guitar Festival at Long Island University (in Brookville, Long Island, NY) in March 2013 -- at 8pm on Wednesday, March 20th. You may find out more about this event by clicking here. You may listen to a computer generated sound file of this one movement tonal work by clicking here.

2nd Symphony World Premiere Scheduled

2012-09-30T21:12:00.002-07:00

On Saturday, March 23, 2013 Orchestra New England will give the world premiere performance of Russo's Second Symphony at Battell Chapel in New Haven, Connecticut. This is a tonal work in four movements. More information about this Orchestra New England concert can be seen by clicking here.
If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound files of the four movements of this symphony you may do so by clicking here.

New Music for Flute and Piano

2012-08-16T18:20:00.004-07:00

Russo recently completed work on his new music for flute and piano: West Fork. It is a one movement tonal work inspired by his hike at West Fork (near Sedona, Arizona) with his friend John Levno. Russo composed the work for John and his wife (and superb flutist) Celinda Anne. If you would like to hear a computer generated rendition of the piece you may do so by clicking here.

New music for French Horn & Piano

2012-08-02T18:15:00.002-07:00

Russo has recently completed composing "Mountain" for French Horn and Piano -- he created this tonal one movement work for his friend and excellent French Horn player Lisa Pike. If you would like to hear a computer generated sound file of this music please click here.

Lisa will be giving the world premiere of this music on September 27, 2012. Here is the information about her recital:

Thursday September 27, 2012 12:30pm Shea Auditorium.

William Paterson University Wayne, NJ

The location is called Shea Center for Performing Arts.

300 Pompton Road

Wayne, NJ

"Living La Vida Local" (Alive and Living Locally)

Other works on the program: by Amram, Schickele, Ewazen.

Lisa Pike. horn

Karen Dempsy, flute

Elizabeth Rodgers, piano

Renown conductor Arto Tchiftchian comments on Russo's music

2012-01-23T12:16:00.000-08:00

Renown conductor Arto Tchiftchian comments on Russo's music:

I heard your disc with orchestral works and I am very impressed.

Your music is very beautiful and has his own atmosphere with elegiac character and nostalgic, regret feeling for the lost harmony.A remembrance of persons and places of passed times.In slow, meditative portions and lyric moments of your music you are in the tradition of great American poetry of E.Dickinson and H.Longfellow and in the same time you show a very great talent for melody line in the fast tempi.

I want to have chance to conduct your music one day.

With all my best wishes

Arto Tchiftchian

Renown Bulgarian Conductor -- now residing in Los Angeles, USA

Flutist Jane Rutter comments on Russo's music

2011-12-05T00:10:00.000-08:00

After listening to Russo's solo flute piece "Golden Flute" flutist Jane Rutter says:
Joseph Russo's music is lyrical. Its harmonies have a lovely flowing narrative.

I applaud him for writing music that has depth, imagination and is so pleasing to the sophisticated ear!

Jane Rutter
Flute Queen, Concert Soloist,
#1 Adventurous Classical Artist
www.janerutter.com

(you may view the video of "Golden Flute" by clicking here)

"In Memoriam" Performed at Northeastern Illinois University

2011-10-21T07:23:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, October 20 the Northeastern Illinois University String Orchestra gave a very successful and well received performance of Russo's "In Memoriam" 9-11 for Strings -- Brian Groner, conductor.

Here is the program:

Thursday, October 20, 2011 • 3:05 P.M. • Recital Hall

NEIU STRING ORCHESTRA

Brian Groner, conductor

Serenade, for strings in E minor, Op. 20........................ Edward Elgar (1857–1934)

Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68 BB 76............................ Béla Bartók (1881–1945)

In Memoriam–9/11............................................................................. Joseph M. Russo

String Sonata No. 1 in G major.............................. Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868)

Divertimento in F major................................................... W. A. Mozart (1756–1791)

“Salzburg Symphony No. 3”, K. 138

Second Symphony Completed

2011-10-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

Russo has composed his 2nd Symphony. This tonal four (4) movement work is score for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 French horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 timpani (also playing triangle) and strings. The four movements run approximately 34 minutes total. If you would like to hear the computer generated sound files of the first three movements you may click here. The work may be scheduled for its world premiere sometime in the spring of 2012 or during the 2012-2013 season -- the orchestra to premiere the work has yet to be chosen.

"Seasides" Trombone Quartet Premiered in the UK

2011-10-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, October 1, 2011 Russo's three movement trombone quartet "Seasides" was given its world premiere in Beverley UK (in Yorkshire) by trombonist Jim Stretton's newly formed trombone quartet called "A Bit On The Slide". To read the review of that performance you may click here. Sometime soon a live recording of this trombone quartet will be posted here as well -- check back soon!

New work for Trombone Ensemble

2011-04-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

Russo completed work on the three movements (Seaside 1, Seaside 2 and Seaside 3) of Seasides for Trombone Quartet. This music is scored for three (3) tenor trombones and one (1) bass trombone with an optional alto trombone part which would replace the Tenor 1 part. You may hear computer generated performances of these movements by clicking here.

New Bass Duo

2010-12-19T21:20:00.000-08:00

Russo has just completed work on his Bass Duo. This is a one movement (in 3 sections) tonal work for two double basses running about 8 1/2 minutes. The work was composed at the request of Matt Weber (Juilliard) and Matt Rosenthal (NYU), two former bass students of Joe's. You may hear a computer generated version of the piece by clicking here.

World Premiere of Fanfare given at Montclair State University, NJ

2010-10-14T09:26:00.001-07:00

On Friday, October 8, 2010 Russo's Fanfare for Eight Trumpets was given its world premiere performance by The John J. Cali School of Music Trumpet Ensemble, Charles Bumcrot, director, from Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ to open the 2010 Kaleidoscope Concert (an annual showcase of students and faculty of the Cali School). This first performance was at the Kasser Theatre (on the campus) on Oct 8, 2010 at 7:30pm. It was conducted by Donald Batchelder.

Trumpet ensemble director Charles Bumcrot's comment on Fanfare:

"...a wonderful work and a very interesting fanfare. Not only everything you'd expect and need in a fanfare, but interesting melodic lines and material, combined with very successful antiphonal qualities. We will perform this work over and over again!!"

"This music can be used antiphonally...and it works non-antiphonally. This is very playable on standard instruments, either Bb or C and does not require piccs, flugels, etc. A very majestic opening with a very lyrical, yet "ringing" Allegro."

The performers for this world premiere were: Mike Bassett, Rachel Candee, Lynn Chao, Elizabeth Epstein, Rene Hammler, Harry Hipwell, Chris Johnson, Bryan Stepneski, Bowen Walsh, Sage Walsh.

New Concert Fanfare for Trumpet Ensemble

2010-09-08T21:41:00.000-07:00

Russo just completed work on his new Concert Fanfare for Eight Trumpets. This antiphonal tonal one movement 5:50 minute work was composed for Joe's friend Chuck Bumcrot and his NJ college trumpet students. To hear a computer rendition of this music click here.

You may also hear the computer rendition of Russo's Fanfare for Eight Trumpets -- this is a shortened version (3:15 minutes) of his Concert Fanfare....click here to hear this Fanfare.

Three Changes for Septet Completed

2010-08-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

Russo recently completed his Three Changes for Septet - these are three (3) movements in a tonal and somewhat jazzy style. The instrumentation is: clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, percussion, violin and bass -- the same instrumentation as Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale". To hear the computer generated sound files of these three movements click here.

Performing at the White House -- Meeting the President

2010-07-28T07:16:00.001-07:00

On Monday, July 26 Russo and his long time Juilliard friend, Nathaniel Ayers ("The Soloist") performed together for the White House celebration of the anniversary of ADA (Amercians with Disabilities Act). Joe accompanied Nathaniel who played violin and trumpet. Both were given the opportunity to shake President Obama's hand! Nathaniel's comment to the President: "I wish you a blessed Presidency". An important event and a very successful performance.

To read author "The Soloist" and journalist Steve Lopez's LA Times article about the event you may click on the appropriate link under "Pages" in the left column of this page. If you would like to view an actual portion of the performance of Ayers and Russo click here.

Update: if you would like to view the complete performance click here: Nathaniel Ayers and Joseph Russo play at White House

Septet "Changes 2" completed

2010-07-17T10:16:00.001-07:00

Russo recently completed composing the second movement to his Septet "Changes" trilogy. You may hear a computer generated rendition of this new movement by clicking here. "Changes 2" can be heard by choosing the second track.

"Concordance" Performed in Lubeck, Germany

2010-07-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

On Friday, June 25, 2010 Russo's Concordance for Double Brass Quintet was performed by the Brass Ensemble of the University of Lubeck Music School in Lubeck, Germany. Professor Ehrhard Wetz conducted. (You may click on the program above to enlarge it)

Bassoon Quartet Now Available

2010-05-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

Russo's Bassoon Quartet "In The Woods" is now available. This three movement tonal work is written for four bassoons. You may hear a computer generated rendition of the three movement tonal work by clicking here. If you have trouble accessing the sound files please e-mail: JoeRusso11@gmail.com -- the sound files could be sent to you as attachments to an e-mail, if you wish. If you would like to acquire this music you may contact the composer at the same e-mail address.

Recent News About Bass Students

2010-05-10T21:47:00.000-07:00

Four of Joe’s students have had some great news recently. Here is Joe’s comment:

“Recently four of my double bass students have been accepted into very prestigious music schools: New Haven senior Andrew Muench will be attending the Hart School of Music in Hartford in September. Ridgefield senior Jonathan Borden will attend The Juilliard School next school year. Weston Purchase College senior Matthew Weber has been accepted in the Masters program at Juilliard. And Westport NYU senior Matthew Rosenthal will continue studying at New York University next fall. These young men have achieved such success due to their talent, skill, perseverance, enthusiasm and dedication to music. I am very, very proud of these special students. CONGRATULATIONS! : ) " --- Joe Russo, Bass Teacher