Sunday, December 19, 2010

New Bass Duo

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 below.


Thursday, October 14, 2010

World Premiere of Fanfare given at Montclair State University, NJ

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.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

New Concert Fanfare for Trumpet Ensemble

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.  You may hear a computer rendition of this music below.
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.... you may also listen to this version below.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Three Changes for Septet Completed

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".  You may hear the computer generated sound files of these three movements below.


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Performing at the White House -- Meeting the President






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


Saturday, July 17, 2010

Septet "Changes 2" completed

Russo recently completed composing the second movement to his Septet "Changes" trilogy. You may hear a computer generated rendition of this new movement below.

Monday, July 12, 2010

"Concordance" Performed in Lubeck, Germany



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)

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Bassoon Quartet Now Available

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 below. 

Monday, May 10, 2010

Recent News About Bass Students

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

Thursday, April 15, 2010

World Premiere of New Septet on April 10, 2010




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.


Friday, March 19, 2010

New Septet Completed Today!

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.  You may hear a computer generated sound file of the first movement of this three movement work below.



Wednesday, February 17, 2010

New Edition of First Symphony

Joe has recently edited some of his First Symphony (2004). You may hear the four movement tonal work below. 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.