Friday, September 28, 2018

Russo Third Symphony World Premiere!

Russo's Third Symphony will be be given its world premiere performance by Orchestra New England at their 7:30pm concert on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Battell Chapel in New Haven, Connecticut.  This concert will celebrate the 45th birthday of Orchestra New England.  (Russo will be playing bass on this concert). If you would like to listen to this symphony you may do so below. The symphony is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 French horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, percussion (one player) and strings.   It runs about 39 minutes. UPDATE: Russo's "Remembrance" music (dedicated to Anne Mauro) and his Third Symphony were given superb premiere performances by Orchestra New England on the evening of March 9, 2019.  Both the performing musicians and the audience enjoyed this new music -- the Orchestra New England received a standing ovation after its first performance of Russo's Third Symphony.  - - -

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Russo's "Distant Light" Septet to be performed on Saturday, September 22


Canta Libre Chamber Ensemble in Multi-Media Concert This Saturday, September 22 at Vanderbilt Museum’s
Reichert Planetarium in Centerport, New York

Canta Libre Chamber Ensemble will be in concert, performing A Heavenly Flight of the Autumn Sky, music for flute, clarinet, harp and strings this Saturday, September 22 at 6:00 PM, in a multi-media event at the Vanderbilt Museum’s Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road in Centerport, NY.

Experience this acclaimed group of musicians performing contemporary American works as the planetarium gets utilized to its fullest potential. The dome will be filled with images of the stars, nebulae, galaxies and much more! The ensemble will feature music evoking all seasons of the year, highlighting Autumn specifically. The Fall night sky will be laid out in 360 degrees above the audience and the autumnal constellations will be brought into view.

Repertoire for this special concert celebrating the Fall equinox will be new American works for seven players, including the World Premiere of Joel Lambdin’s Abstract No. 1 (composed to commemorate this special event), Joseph Russo’s Distant Light and Gary Schocker’s Cherry Blossoms, along with contemporary Canadian composer Marjan Mozetich’s Angels in Flight and Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro.

Performers will be Canta Libre members Sally Shorrock, flute, Karen Lindquist, harp, Bradley Bosenbeck, violin, Veronica Salas, viola and Bernard Tamosaitis, cello, with special guests Janey Choi, violin and Alec Manasse, 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. For more information and directions, call 631-854-5579 or visit https://www.vanderbiltmuseum.org/event/cantra-libre-chamber-ensemble-to-perform-in-planetarium/.


About the Planetarium
The 147-seat Planetarium’s 60-foot dome and advanced Konica Minolta projection system with full-dome video and surround-sound creates an exciting, immersive audience experience.

Get directions to the Planetarium at https://www.vanderbiltmuseum.org/contact/


About Canta Libre
Canta Libre was founded in 2002 by flutist Sally Shorrock to foster the performance and enjoyment of musical literature specifically written for flute, harp and strings. They have been acclaimed by audiences throughout the Northeast, with regular performances in Connecticut, Westchester and Long Island. They were featured at The American Harp Society 50th Anniversary National Conference, and have appeared at Lincoln Center, on WNYC at The Green Space, The Music Festival of the Hamptons, Barge Music, Concerts at One at Trinity Church in Manhattan, WLIW TV, National Public Radio of Long Island, and The Brooklyn Public Library. Trained at the finest conservatories, many of the members have performed and toured internationally with appearances at major festivals, including Aspen, Spoleto and Tanglewood. Their critically-acclaimed CD of music by Jean Francaix, Joseph Guy Ropartz, Jean Yves Daniel-Lesur and Maurice Ravel is available on the 4Tay label. Much more about them at http://www.cantalibre.org.

For inquiries about Canta Libre Chamber Ensemble, please contact Jeffrey James Arts Consulting at 516-586-3433 or jamesarts@att.net.

Monday, September 3, 2018

In Memoriam for Orchestra Completed

Russo finished work on his IN MEMORIAM for Orchestra.  This 6:30 minute tonal work is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 3 French horns, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 bass trombone, 1 tuba, 3 percussionists (timpani, tubular bell, triangle, bass drum, snare drum, tam-tam) and strings.  In this music he expresses the grief and sadness associated with death.  If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound file of this music you may do so below.

Monday, July 23, 2018

New Orchestra Piece -- Remembrance -- Completed

After the moving premiere performance of Russo's "Forever Young" Overture at a New Haven (CT) Memorial Day concert (with Orchestra New England) 2018, Russo decided to compose another piece for our veterans: "Remembrance" - the piece expresses the various emotions associated with our memories of those no longer here....upsetness (that they are no longer here), the warmth of our memories, the joy of our memories and finally the happiness of our memories.  The piece is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 3 French horns, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 bass trombone, 1 tuba, 3 percussionists (timpani, tubular bell, tam-tam, bass drum, snare drum, triangle) and strings.  This one movement tonal piece runs a little over 6 minutes.

If you would like to listen to the premiere of this music you may do so below..

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Flute Orchestra Music Completed

Russo was commissioned by flutist Helene Rosenblatt to compose a signature piece for the newly form Connecticut Flute Orchestra -- this two movement work is dedicated to this fine ensemble.  This flute orchestra music was completed in June 2018.  It consists of two tonal movements: one depicting the Connecticut State tree (Mountain-laurel) and one depicting the Connecticut State bird (American Robin).

The world premiere of this music will happen on Sunday,  September 16, 2018 at 2 PM at Crowell Concert Hall, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT .  Directions to the concert location are here:   http://www.wesleyan.edu/cfa/visit/crowellconcerthall-directions.html .  This concert is free and open to the public.

If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound files of each movement you may do so below.

Hope to see you at the concert on September 16, 2018!


Saturday, June 23, 2018

New work for Strings - "Together"

At the 2017 Elm City Chamber Festival music director Sascha Mandl suggested that Russo compose a work for strings based on religious songs.   Russo did so in October 2017 - the songs referenced in this 7 minute piece are Jewish, Islamic, Christian and India Hindu -- and near the end of the piece the composer superimposes all four songs together -- they are all played together at the same time -- thus, the title of this new string work: Together.    The music will be given its first performance during the 2018 Elm City Chamber Festival (Cheshire, CT)....here are the details:   
Saturday, July 14 at 9:30am and 2:00pm
Student Final Performance Gala
Cheshire Academy
10 Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410

The concert is free and open to the public.

If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound file of this music you may do so below.

Monday, May 28, 2018

Successful Premiere of "Forever Young"

Russo's "Forever Young" received its first performance at New Haven's Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, May 27, 2018 by Orchestra New England under the direction of conductor James Sinclair.  The performance took place at Lyman Auditorium on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. The performance was enthusiastically received by the audience, giving Russo and the orchestra a standing ovation.  The composer said "The audience's response to my 'Forever Young" overture was overwhelming to me.....it was especially moving since there were so many veterans and veterans' families in the audience.  My dear friends in the orchestra performed my music beautifully -- I was greatly moved by their wonderful performance of my heartfelt music".   

Saturday, May 5, 2018

"Forever Young" Overture to be given its World Premiere

On Sunday, May 27th at 5pm Russo's "Forever Young" Overture will be given its first performance by Orchestra New England, James Sinclair conductor at Lyman Auditorium on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University - 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515.   This music is on the program of this Memorial Day Concert which the City of New Haven sponsors each year.   The concert is free and open to the public.

Below is some information regarding the music:


Descriptive information about “Forever Young” Overture from the composer:

"In June 2017 I watched a documentary about the June 6, 1944 D-Day landing at Normandy.   In the course of the documentary, while they scanned the many white crosses of the Normandy cemetery, a general said “We consider the many young soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice that day as ‘Forever Young’”   That heartfelt comment inspired the composing of my Forever Young Overture during the summer of 2017 – in the music I try to express the strength and courage those young soldiers had and their sacrifice for freedom on that fateful day.    The fact that my father, George Russo, landed in Normandy later that June added to the personal nature of the music."


Friendship Concert Huge Success

At 3:30pm on Sunday April 29th at the Wilton (CT) Library Russo's "Friendship Concert" was performed to an audience of about 150 people.   The performers played Russo's music superbly and a great time was had by all.   The specific information (i.e. performers, program) can be read in a previous post below.   

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Special Concert of Russo music -- April 29th


Here is the information about this concert:


Weston composer Joseph Russo will present a concert of some of his woodwind music at the Wilton Library on April 29th at 3:30pm – the concert will be called “Friendship Concert”

Here is the information about this concert:

When:  3:30pm on Sunday, April 29

Where:  Wilton (CT) Library – address:  137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT  06897

Performers:
Jennifer Berman – flute
Celinda Anne Levno – flute
Janet Rosen – oboe/English horn
Jim Forgey – clarinet
Bob Hoyle – French horn
Sue Zoeller-Cross – bassoon
Bill Braun – piano
Elizabeth Waln – piano

Cost: free

About:
The name of the concert is “Friendship Concert” – since I often compose music for friends and also because each performer is one of my good friends….most for many, many years.

If you would like to attend this concert you need to register with the Wilton Library to do so – the hall holds 150 people – so, by registering, the library will assign you a place in the hall.

…..if you would like to attend this concert it is important to register….seating is limited for this performance….

Program:

Festivo Trio - three movements – oboe/English horn, Clarinet, Bassoon
Oboe/English Horn:  Janet Rosen
Clarinet:  Jim Forgey
Bassoon:  Sue Zoellner-Cross

Romanze & Joyful - two movements - solo flute
Flute: Celinda Anne Levno

Friendship Trio - three movements -- flute, clarinet, piano
Flute: Jennifer Berman
Clarinet: Jim Forgey
Piano: Bill Braun

Golden Flute for solo flute
Flute: Celinda Anne Levno 

“Mountain” and “River” – two movements - French horn and Piano
French horn:  Bob Hoyle
Piano: Bill Braun

Christmas Joy – “Birth” & “Joy” two movements - flute & piano
Flute: Celinda Anne Levno
Piano: Elizabeth Waln

Woodwind Quintet - three movements
Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet musicians:
Flute: Jennifer Berman
Oboe: Janet Rosen
Clarinet: Jim Forgey
French horn: Bob Hoyle
Bassoon: Sue Zoellner-Cross

Please let me know if you are planning to attend this concert…
JoeR12161770@gmail.com 

I hope to see you at this performance of my music!

Best,

Joseph M Russo
Composer