Music in America podcast

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

 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

 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

 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

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

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

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

 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

 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

 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

 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

 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

 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

  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

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

 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

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.