Richard D. Russell » Marjorie Berg

Two Russell pieces presented at Emily Dickinson concert

Richard D. Russell — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:40:00 +0000

It was more than an Emily Dickinson concert, it was an experience! Jessica Castro as Emily Dickinson read poems, and music by Richard Russell, Raphael Fusco, and Robert Butts provided “a little madness in the spring” last week at the Bell and Barter Theater in Rockaway, NJ. Maestro Butts was the afternoon’s conductor.

Soprano Marjorie Berg sang my “The Tune is in the Tree” in a special chamber music arrangement, and soprano Pamela Stein sang “When Time is Over.” Aaron Dai was the day’s accompanist. A fantastic reception followed, and we are all looking to our July 25 concert, “Songs of a Sultry Summer.” For more details on that concert (and more pics), go to In Mid Air Productions. For now, here are several pics from the Emily Dickinson concert. (Click to enlarge.)

Jessica Castro as Emily Dickinson

soprano Pamela Stein with Richard Russell. She sang “When Time is Over”

soprano Marjorie Berg with Robert Butts, conductor, performing “The Tune is in the Tree”

Richard Russell, Marjorie Berg, Bud Masters at the reception

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New Concert Series features Two Richard Russell Compositions

Richard D. Russell — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:36:00 +0000

A special chamber music version of “The Tune is in the Tree” will be performed by soprano Marjorie Berg, and Pamela Stein will sing “When Time is Over” in a concert celebrating the poetry of Emily Dickinson, April 25 at 3pm. This is the inaugural presentation of a new concert series, Seasonal Sunday Salons, housed in the Bell & Barter Theater at 13 Church Street in Rockaway, NJ. (I think this is my New Jersey premiere.) Here’s the press release:

In Mid Air Productions presents A Little Madness in the Spring: The Poems of Emily Dickinson. In Mid Air Productions presents its ode to spring as a part of the Seasonal Sunday Salon Series. These are comprised of four yearly concerts which highlight the works of famous poets through reading and songs. The Seasonal Sunday Salons have a strong literary and thematic base and marry traditional and contemporary settings with the works of classic authors.

A Little Madness in the Spring features the poetry of Emily Dickinson and the compositions of contemporary composers, including Robert W. Butts, professor and conductor of the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, and ASCAP award winner, Richard D. Russell, and Raphael Fusco. Performers include sopranos Marjorie Berg and Pamela Stein and pianist Aaron Dai. Also performing are Anthony Bevilacqua, violin, Dan Sagi, clarinet, Andrew Pecota, bassoon, and Nancy Connell, cello. Robert Butts is the day’s conductor, and this event is being directed by Emily Clare Thompson.

The Bell and Barter Theater and Cultural Arts Center proudly hosts this event. The Bell and Barter Theater and Cultural Arts Center of Rockaway New Jersey is less that 37 miles and only an hour away from the Lincoln Tunnel. Come join us for a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and an intimate afternoon with Emily Dickinson.

Tickets are $25 at the door, $15 if reserved by April 23. Students and seniors are $15 at the door, $10 if reserved by April 23. For reservations, email your name, ticket type, and number of tickets to seasonal.sunday.salons@gmail.com Ticket price includes a wine and cheese reception.

Sponsored by Seasonal Sunday Salons, In Mid Air Productions

For more info, visit inmidairproductions.wordpress.com or call 201–704-2958

Click the flier for a larger view!

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Marjorie Berg premieres “Tune is in the Tree”

Richard D. Russell — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:53:00 +0000

Once again I must count my good fortune at the inspired talents I have come to know. Last Sunday, 8 November, soprano Marjorie Berg and accompanist Raphael Fusco premiered my piece “The Tune is in the Tree: Five Nature Songs of Emily Dickinson.”¬†Marjorie shared with me that she doesn’t like the kinds of recitals where one piece after another comes and goes with no context. Indeed, she pieced together a recital with a curator’s eye. The theme of the afternoon was nature, and Marjorie shared stories of the composers, their interest in nature, and how the pieces came to be composed. The accompanist, Raphael Fusco, happens to be a terrific composer and his piece “Nature’s Communion” was premiered as well. Credit and thanks to Marjorie for supporting and presenting new music. Here are two pics from the afternoon.

Marjorie has asked me to arrange my piece for a small ensemble, so look for this in the year 2010.

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Marjorie Berg to Premiere New Song Cycle

Richard D. Russell — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:11:00 +0000

This past summer, soprano Marjorie Berg asked me to write a new song cycle for her on poems by Emily Dickinson. She had collected a number of poems about nature, and the result is my five-song cycle, “The Tune is in the Tree.” Marjorie will premiere this piece in a recital to be presented Sunday, November 8 at 4:30pm. Also on the program are pieces by Hildegard of Bingen, Barber’s “Hermit Songs”, and a new cycle by my colleague Raphael Fusco. (Mr. Fusco is the day’s accompanist.) The concert is free and takes place at Mannes College of Music, 150 West 85th Street, in Goldmark Hall on the third floor.

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