Distant Light Septet to be performed on Long Island NY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

World Premiere of IN MEMORIAM for orchestra

On Sunday, May 26th at 5pm Russo's In Memoriam for Orchestra will be given its first performance by Orchestra New England on New Haven's Memorial Day Concert.  The performance will take place at Southern Connecticut State University's Lyman Auditorium -- at 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515 -- James Sinclair conducting.  The concert is free and open to the public.  Russo will be playing bass in the orchestra for this performance.

Movement from New String Trio World Performance on May 9th

On Thursday, May 9, 2019 a the third movement of Russo's new String Trio (in 3 movements) will be performed 9am at the Reed Intermediate School in Newtown, CT.   The Ridgefield Symphony performers will be:  Violin: Emanouil Manolov, Viola: Sue Corey-Sahlin, Cello: Gunnar Sahlin.   If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound files of each of the String Trio's three movements  you may do so via the link in the March 14th post below.

Russo's Distant Light Septet Performed Again at Vanderbilt Planetarium

Russo's Distant Light septet (for flute, clarinet, harp and string quartet) received another very successful performance at the Vanderbilt Planetarium in Centerport NY at 6pm on Saturday, March 23, 2019.  Russo attended this repeat performance (see the September 19, 2018 post to read more about the concert venue) by Canta Libre chamber ensemble. 

String Trio Completed

Russo recently completed his first String Trio -- violin, viola, cello -- a three movement tonal work running about 16 minutes.  He was asked to compose this piece by friends in the Ridgefield Symphony (CT).  If you would like to listen to the computer generated sound file of this music you may do so below.

Joseph M Russo · String Trio

Residency at University of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Russo will be in residency at the University of Tulsa (Oklahoma) between Monday, March 25th and Thursday, March 28th 2019.  In addition to teaching both double bass and composition master classes, Russo's Distant Light Septet (flute, clarinet, harp, string quartet) and his ballet music New England Portrait will be performed by university music students on Wednesday evening, March 27th.

UPDATE: On Wednesday evening March 27, 2019 music students at the University of Tulsa excellently performed Russo's Distant Light septet and his New England Portrait.  For the first time his New England Portrait was set to dance by TU dance professor and choreographer Jessica Vokoun --  the music ensembles were conducted by harp professor and conductor Lorelei Barton.   Russo attended this very successful concert of his music. During the March 25th week of his residency at the University of Tulsa Russo spent time with various TU faculty members and lectured in various  composition classes - in addition, Russo taught a double bass master class.