Joseph M Russo - Composer / Double Bassist

Music in America podcast

2025-08-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

In August 2025 Russo was interviewed by Tom Pollard for his "Music in America" podcast. A number of Russo's compositions were featured during the podcast. Here is the link to the podcast:

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f9fa3fd1-aae7-452b-9abc-872806b660e4/

Fifth Symphony completed

2023-10-03T18:19:00.001-07:00

Russo has completed work on his Fifth Symphony. This four movement tonal symphony is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 French horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, timpani, percussion and strings. The music was composed for Orchestra New England in its 50th anniversary season (2023-2024).

First movement: Allegro 11:30

Second movement: Adagio ma non troppo 07:30

Third movement: Allegro - Presto 05:30

Fourth movement: Allegro con brio - Allegro - Allegro con brio - Presto 09:30

This symphony is scheduled to be first performed by Orchestra New England on May 4, 2024.

You may listen to the computer generated sound files of each movement below:

Joseph M Russo - www.JosephMRusso.org · Fifth Symphony

Song for Double bass and Piano to be performed at Jesse Lee Church

2022-02-14T08:44:00.004-08:00

On Sunday, February 20th Russo will perform his Song for Double bass and Piano at two church services at the Jesse Lee United Methodist Church in Ridgefield CT -- address: 207 Main Street, Ridgefield. He will also perform Rachmaninoff's Vocalise during both services....one service will be at 9am and the second at 11am. The church Music Director Sarah Fox will accompany him on piano. The second service will be simulcast.

Russo Woodwind Quintet performed in Ridgefield CT

2022-02-14T08:37:00.003-08:00

On Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 4pm Russo's Woodwind Quintet was performed by Harmonia V - flute: Jennifer Berman, oboe: Janet Rosen, clarinet: Jim Forgey, French horn: Bob Hoyle, bassoon: Jackie Joyner....the concert was presented at the Keeler Tavern Museum by the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. The concert was well attended....Russo attended this performance. His Woodwind Quintet is a tonal work in three movements.

re: Kozars International Music Festival performance

2021-10-04T08:44:00.003-07:00

Introducing the authors whose works we chose for performing at the ModernArs concert. One of the total of 11 applicants from around the world was Joseph Russo, whose composition left us speechless. If you also want to hear Americans dream of Kozara, don't miss this important evening.

Russo Kozara Mountain Trio Chosen for 4th KozArs Festival

2021-09-21T07:59:00.001-07:00

Kozara Mountain Trio was composed in June 2021 for submittal for the Fourth KozArs International Music Festival 2021 in Bosnia. This work was one of three compositions chosen to be performed at the Festival's October 2, 2021 concert. It will also be featured on the ensemble's CD of the Festival. It is a tonal 12 minute work in three movements: Movement 1 - Sava River; Movement 2 - LIsina; Movement 3 - Sara River You may listen to the computer generated sound files of this work below.

Joseph M Russo - www.JosephMRusso.org · Kozara Mountain Trio for Sax, Clarinet and Bassoon

New: Fantasy for French Horn and Strings

2021-03-17T08:58:00.003-07:00

Today Russo completed work on his Fantasy for French Horn and Strings. This is a 15 minute tonal work. You may listen to the computer generated sound file of this music below.

Joseph M Russo - www.JosephMRusso.org · FantasyforFrenchHornandStrings

New: Fantasy for Trumpet and Strings

2021-03-17T08:56:00.003-07:00

In the beginning of March 2021 Russo completed work on his Fantasy for Trumpet and Strings. This is a 15 minute tonal work. You may listen to the computer generated sound file of this music below.

Joseph M Russo - www.JosephMRusso.org · TPFantasywStrings

ELEGY for Orchestra completed

2020-12-22T10:01:00.015-08:00

In 2019 Russo completed work on his ELEGY for Orchestra -- a one movement 7 1/2 minute tonal orchestra work scored for woodwinds (2222), brass (3331), timpani, tubular bells, other percussion and strings. If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound file of this piece you may do so below.

Joseph M Russo · RussoElegyforOrchscore

Duo Performance on December 13, 2020

2020-11-22T09:47:00.014-08:00

Russo will perform double bass with trombonist Jackie Harris-Stone in a 50 minute duo concert at 7:30pm on Sunday, December 13, 2020. This performance is sponsored by the Nutmeg Symphony (Marshall Brown, conductor) and will take place at Trinity Church in Torrington CT. Russo will give the first performance of his Song for Double Bass and Piano. The concert will be aired live by Nutmeg Board member Tom Johnston on his Facebook page

You may view the video of this performance by clicking here.

New CD which includes Fantasy for Flute & Piano

2020-11-08T10:38:00.002-08:00

A new CD of flutist Rita D'Arcangelo is now available. This CD includes her performance of Russo's Fantasy for Flute & Piano. To learn more about this CD you may click here.

Song for Double Bass and Piano completed

2020-10-22T21:08:00.005-07:00

Russo recently composed his Song for Double Bass and Piano. This is a one movement 6 minute tonal work. If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound file of this music you may do so below.

Joseph M Russo · Song for Double Bass and Piano

New Fantasy for Flute and Strings

2020-10-22T20:58:00.007-07:00

Russo recently completed work on his Fantasy for Flute and Strings. This one movement 7 minute work is an arrangement of his Fantasy for Flute and Piano he composed in 2019. If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound file of his Fantasy for Flute and Strings you may do so below.

Joseph M Russo - www.JosephMRusso.org · Fantasy for Flute Strings

Fourth Symphony completed

2020-08-23T13:27:00.005-07:00

Russo completed work on his Fourth Symphony this month. This three movement tonal symphony utilizes a choir in the third movement. The complete work runs approximately 38 minutes. If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound files of each movement you may do so below. The instrumentation of this symphony: 2222 3331 TM, PC Strings (third movement: choir) Percussion instruments: Tam-tam, crash cymbal, snare drum, Tubular bells, triangle, side drum, jingle bells, bass drum, suspended cymbal, chime tree

Here is some descriptive information about this symphony:

About this work:
conductors note: for the third movement (first measure) the choir should be distributed throughout the audience as equally as possible -- after 10 seconds of whispering "I am Love" along with the audience the choir members continue whispering while taking their places on stage.
When they are all in place conductor cuts off audience and continues with piece.

The motivation behind each movement of this symphony:

Spiritual:
Movement 1: The Father – strong & powerful – and continuing to evolve
Movement 2: The Son – His Birth then His suffering, death and resurrection
Movement 3: The Holy Spirit – Love exists within us and throughout the universe

Secular:
Movement 1: Evolution – everything and everyone is on a continual journey of evolution….
Movement 2: Life: Birth & Death & Resurrection
Movement 3: Love exists within every person….first we need to acknowledge that fact…”I am Love”…..then we each need to determine how to express it to the world

Note: only the third movement utilizes a choir

Joseph M Russo · Symphony #4 in Three Movements

New Sonata for Flute and Piano

2020-06-06T10:01:00.005-07:00

In February 2020 Russo completed work on his Sonata for Flute and Piano. It is a three movement tonal work running about 22 minutes. If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound files of each movement you may do so below.

Joseph M Russo - www.JosephMRusso.org · Sonata for Flute and Piano

"Romanze" for Solo Flute to be Performed

2020-02-22T09:12:00.000-08:00

Virtuoso flutist Rita D’Arcangelo will perform Russo’s Romanze for solo flute in various places during her visit to the USA in March 2020

Distant Light Septet to be performed on Long Island NY

2019-10-18T22:06:00.002-07:00

Canta Libre Chamber Ensemble in Multi-Media Concert Saturday, 6pm November 2nd at Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium in Centerport, New York - this performance will include Russo's septet "Distant Light" for flute, clarinet, harp and string quartet.

Performers of Canta Libre are Sally Shorrock, flute, Karen Lindquist, harp, Bradley Bosenbeck, violin, Veronica Salas, viola and Bernard Tamosaitis, cello, with special guests Cherry Yeung, violin and Alex Morano, clarinet.

Tickets for this concert are $20 on-line; $25 at the door; and $15 for children 15 and younger, available at https://47321.blackbaudhosting.com/47321/Canta-Libre-Concert-02Nov2019 or below. For more information and directions, call 631-854-5579 or visit https://www.vanderbiltmuseum.org/

Violin Sonata Completed

2019-10-14T08:43:00.004-07:00

Russo recently completed work on his first Violin Sonata -- for violin and piano. The work was composed in gratitude for master violin teacher Dora Schwarzberg and excellent pianist Giuliano Mazzoccante - both of whom Russo met during his attendance at the Chieti (Italy) International Music Festival during the summer of 2019. Russo is particularly grateful for Ms. Schwarzberg's excellent and inspired teaching during her master classes - many of which Russo attended. His new violin sonata is in three movements: Allegro, Romanze, Giocoso and runs about 22 minutes. If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound files of each of its movements you may do so below.

Joseph M Russo · Violin Sonata

Oboe Solo Performed

2019-10-14T08:24:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, October 6, 2019 Russo's Oboe Solo was performed by oboist Dorothy Darlington at the Hilltop Music Collective concert at the 2nd Congregational Church in Greenwich Connecticut. Dorothy successfully performed this piece on English horn. Russo attended this performance.

Woodwind Quintet Performance

2019-10-14T08:22:00.001-07:00

At 3pm on September 22, 2019 Russo's Woodwind Quintet was performed by members of the Chamber Music by the River program in Chester, Connecticut. The program is under the direction of Dr. Hilarie Clark Moore and Kathryn Giampietro. The members of the quintet which performed Russo's Woodwind Quintet were: Mary Schmelcke flute, Mary Polezonis oboe, Cindy McGrath clarinet, Barbar Sardone horn and Brenda Tousignant bassson. Russo attended the beautiful event in Chester CT.

"American Robin" video now available

2019-09-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, September 8, 2019 the Connecticut Flute Orchestra included Russo's "American Robin" music on its Wesleyan University Concert in Middletown CT. If you would like to view the video you may do so by clicking "play" on the video above.

Harp Trio completed

2019-09-17T15:01:00.006-07:00

In August 2019 Russo completed work on his Harp Trio -- a one movement work running about 10 minutes for 3 Harps. The piece was composed for Tulsa University Harp teacher Lorelei Barton and her students -- in gratitude for Russo's TU residency at the end of March 2019. If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound file of his Harp Trio you may do so below.

Joseph M Russo - www.JosephMRusso.org · Harp Trio

Flute Orchestra Music to be Performed

2019-09-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

At 2pm on Sunday, September 8, 2019 the Connecticut Flute Orchestra will perform Russo's "American Robin" on their concert in Memorial Hall on the campus of Wesleyan University (221 High Street) in Middletown, Connecticut -- this is a free concert. Russo plans to attend the concert.
The CT Flute Orchestra's director, Helene Rosenblatt, commissioned Russo to compose this work (along with his "Mountain-laurel" for flute orchestra) in the summer of 2018.

US Premiere of Strength and Hope Flute Solo

2019-06-20T08:24:00.006-07:00

At 5PM on Sunday, June 9, 2019 Russo's solo flute piece "Strength and Hope" was given its USA premiere performance by flutist Kerry Walker at the Carriage Barn Arts Center in New Canaan, Connecticut during a concert by the Madera Winds Quintet. If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound file of Strength and Hope you may do so below.

Joseph M Russo · Strength and Hope for Solo Flute

Russo Music at Classical Chieti in Italy

2019-06-20T08:11:00.006-07:00

Between July 23 and July 31, 2019 Russo's some Russo flute music was performed by Rita D'Arcangelo at the Classical Chieti International Music Festival in Chieti, Italy. Rita performed Russo's Romanze for solo flute on one of the Festival's concerts (video above). Russo traveled to Italy to attend the Festival.
Russo completed work on a new flute piece "Fantasy for Flute and Piano" earlier this year. If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound file of his recently composed Fantasy for Flute and Piano you may do so by visiting his November 2020 post of its CD premiere.