Joseph M Russo - Composer / Double Bassist

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.

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 Published

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

Russo's Bassoon Quartet "In The Woods" is now published and available for sale by T.D. Ellis Publishing. You may order the music via the following link:

http://www.themusicsource.org/search.aspx?find=Russo&log=false&category=277

You may hear 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.

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

World Premiere of New Septet on April 10, 2010

2010-04-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

Orchestra New England gave the world premiere of Russo's "Changes" for Septet which he completed recently. The performance took place on April 10 at the United Church on the Green in New Haven, Connecticut. You may hear the computer generated rendition of this new work by clicking where indicated on the blog post below. The sound file of the first live performance of this music will be posted sometime soon.

Note: Joe played the bass part for this performance.

Above are some photos taken in New Haven by Louise Crowley before the world premiere of Russo's "Changes". The top photo is Joe and good friend and Orchestra New England Principal Cellist Tom Bailen. The middle photo is that of Joe (left), Marie Russo (his mother) and his brother and founder and director of rock band camp "Bach to Rock" Michael Russo. And the lower photo is that of Joe and his good friend and science professor at Quinnipiac University Marshall Sternberg.

New Septet Completed Today!

2010-03-19T20:57:00.000-07:00

Russo has completed the first movement ("Changes 1") of his new Septet "Changes" -- scored for Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Double Bass and Percussion this tonal work incorporates classical sounds with jazz music. It was composed using the same instrumentation as Stravinsky's Soldier's Tale. To hear a computer generated sound file of this work click here.

New Edition of First Symphony

2010-02-17T06:56:00.000-08:00

Joe has recently edited some of his First Symphony (2004). You may hear the four movement tonal work by clicking here. The 27 minute work is scored for one flute, one oboe, one clarinet, one bassoon, one French horn, one trumpet, one trombone, one tuba, two percussion and strings.

New Work for Four (4) Bassoons

2009-11-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

Russo recently completed a three movement work for 4 bassoons. The name of the short work is "In The Woods". Each movement is a "scene" - Scene 1 is Adagio-Allegro; Scene 2 is Andante - Pastorale; and Scene 3 is Allegro. To listen to a computer generated rendition of the piece click here.

The world premiere of this work is scheduled at the Keeler Tavern in Ridgefield, Connecticut in March: Chamber Music Concert, Bassoonery, Sunday, March 21, 3 p.m., $15, Keeler Tavern Museum, 203-428-5485.

Three Performances of Russo's Septet "Distant Light" Scheduled this Fall

2009-09-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

Three performances of Russo's Septet "Distant Light" were performed this fall by the ensemble Canta Libre. The Septet is scored for Flute, Clarinet, Harp and String Quartet. Here was the schedule:

1. Sunday, September 27^th 1:30 p.m. Sachem Library 150 Holbrook Rd. Holbrook, N.Y. (631) 588-5024 Free Admission

2. Saturday Oct. 17^th, 6:00 p.m. Salmagundi Center for Amercian Art 47 Fifth Ave. New York, N.Y. (212) 255-7740 Tickets $20

3. Sunday Oct. 18^th 2:30 p.m. South Huntington Library 145 Pidgeon Hill Rd. South Huntington, N.Y. (631) 549-4411 Free Admission

To hear excerpts of the Septet's three movements you may click here.

UPDATE: as of November 2011 a number of harpists have purchased the music to Distant Light in Mexico City (Mexico), Los Angeles (USA), Maryland (USA), Long Island, New York (USA), New Canaan, Connecticut (USA), Angers (France), Netherlands.

Brass Quintet "Hannoverture" performed in New York

2009-07-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, July 25 Joe's brass quintet "Hannoverture" was performed by the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble (John Charles Thomas, lead trumpet) on the "Midsummer Night Music" summer series at Lasdon Park and Arboretum in Katonah, New York. This was the New York premiere of the work.

Brass Quintet "Hannoverture" Performed in Germany

2009-05-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

Joe's new Brass Quintet "Hannoverture" was recently given its European premiere performance in Bremen, Germany. To view the video of its outdoor pre-premiere performance click here. To listen to the German audio performance of "Hannoverture" click here.

Hannoverture was again performed in Wustrow, Germany on October 4, 2009 by a brass choir. You may view and hear the video of this performance by clicking here.

Here is the description of the earlier (Bremen) video by quintet leader and trombone player Alexander Kockel:

Hannoverture - new brass quintet work by Joseph M. Russo (US).
This is a trial and error performance between rehearsal (2 weeks before) and official premiere in europe (the evening after) at the Kirchentag in Bremen/GER.
We, the brass quintet "Ottoni con anima", were not prepared to play outdoor, so we unfortunately lost the challenge against the wind, who blew the sheets away. But see, it was fun and the performance in the evening (in church) was about to tell another story... :-)

Russo Brass Quintet performed in Ridgefield, Sunday April 26

2009-04-28T23:02:00.000-07:00

The Ridgefield Symphony Brass Quintet and Joe: from left to right - Sara Della Posta - French Horn, Tom Verchot - trumpet, Daniel Peck - tuba, Joe Russo, John Charles Thomas - trumpet, Johannes Pfannkuch - trombone.

The new brass quintet "Hannoverture" was beautifully performed in Ridgefield, Connecticut at the Keeler Tavern Museum at 3pm on Sunday, April 26, 2009 by The Ridgefield Symphony Brass Quintet.

String Orchestra work performed in March at Battell Chapel, New Haven

2009-03-31T23:26:00.000-07:00

Joe's Four Pieces for Strings "Homage to Bach" 2008 was given its world premiere performance by Orchestra New England on March 21 (Bach's birthday) at 8pm at Yale's Battell Chapel in New Haven, Connecticut. Each piece depicts a different side of life: sadness, complexity, love, excitement. To hear an excerpt of each piece you may click here.

New Brass Quintet Completed..."Hannoverture"

2009-01-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

Joe just finished composing his new brass quintet "Hannoverture". It is a one movement tonal, fanfare-like piece begun soon after he returned from Germany where he conducted his double brass quintet "Concordance" near Hannover, Germany. If you would like to hear a computer generated version of the work you may click here.