Richard D. Russell » New York Composers Circle

“The Rose Cycle” premiere

Richard D. Russell — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 02:55:58 +0000

Sofia Dimitrova sings, with violist Edmundo Ramirez

“The Rose Cycle” is a new composition for soprano and string quartet, and it premiered April 22, 2014. The concert was presented by the New York Composers Circle at Saint Peter’s Church at the Citigroup Center. Pictured here is the singer, Sofia Dimitrova, and the violist Edmundo Ramirez. The entire ensemble is the Bleecker StQ.

The cycle is in four movements with poems by four authors:
1) Nobody knows this little rose by Emily Dickinson
2) Amid the Roses by Alice Ruth Moore (excerpted)
3) The Sick Rose by William Blake
4) ‘Tis the Last Rose of Summer by Thomas Moore

Funny but true story: As I searched around for poems that feature roses in some prominent way, I found ‘Tis the Last Rose of Summer, but I had no idea it was a famous song already. In fact, when I first read the poem I was amazed that it hasn’t been set to music many times by many composers. While I was composing this movement, I mentioned it to a colleague of mine who pointed out it is a famous piece of music, a prominent Irish song. In a somewhat panicked state, I searched the internet for a copy of the music to be sure I hadn’t subconsciously lifted a famous melody. No, I quickly discovered; my own take was an original one. But as I sight read the music off the computer monitor, I thought, “So that’s what they’re always playing on the bagpipes in New York City parades!”

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Sneak Peek at Tuesday night’s program

Richard D. Russell — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 12:28:39 +0000

A program has been published for the Tuesday, February 19 New York Composers Circle concert. The concert starts at 8pm and the venue is Saint Peters Church at Citigroup Center. Soprano Sofia Dimitrova will be performing two songs of mine, accompanied by the piano trio Glass Farm Ensemble. I attended a rehearsal yesterday and the performers are in fantastic shape! Should be a good concert.

Click the program for a close-up view.

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Video of PUBLIQuartet’s “Adagio” performance at Bargemusic

Richard D. Russell — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:49:46 +0000

My “Adagio for String Quartet” was performed in September, 2011 at Bargemusic, a prestigious performance venue in New York City. The performers were the superb young string ensemble, PUBLIQuartet — more information about them can be found at their website.

The concert was presented by the New York Composers Circle. A video was recorded and I include it here.

The New York Composers Circle always asks composers to introduce their piece by speaking a few words about their composition; this provides the audience with some context and details to listen for in the music.

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“Time is Not an Option” featured in NYCC Outreach

Richard D. Russell — Wed, 18 May 2011 01:14:50 +0000

On May 16, 2011, soprano Sofia Dimitrova performed “Time is Not An Option” accompanied by Tamara Cashour–in an outreach program presented by the New York Composers Circle. The venue was Hunter College High School on Park Avenue on the Upper East Side. The hour-long recital was emceed by the Executive Emeritus of the NYCC, John de Clef Pi√±eiro. Ms. Dimitrova performed many 20th (and 21st) Century works, including pieces by Menotti, Paul Moravec, and Aaron Copland.

The concert was attended by about 100 ninth and tenth graders. A question-and-answer session yielded some interesting thoughts: does a singer prepare differently for modern music than for music by (say) Mozart? What is the process of composing all about? How does one go about starting a new composition?

Here are several pictures from the afternoon–click image for a larger view.

Richard D. Russell introduces his piece

Tamara Cashour, Sofia Dimitrova, John de Clef Pi√±eiro

Tamara Cashour, Sofia Dimitrova

Tamara Cashour and Sofia Dimitrova

Sofia Dimitrova

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Sofia Dimitrova to perform Time is Not an Option

Richard D. Russell — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:26:35 +0000

On May 16, 2011, soprano Sofia Dimitrova will perform the song cycle “Time is Not an Option” at Hunter College High School on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, in a concert being presented by the New York Composers Circle’s Outreach program. This is the fourth time a selection of mine has been included in the NYCC’s Outreach program. For more information on the NYCC, click here.

Tamara Cashour is the pianist, and John de Clef Pi√±eiro will host the event.

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NYCC Outreach at Bronx HS of Science

Richard D. Russell — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 18:43:11 +0000

On Jan 5, 2011 I accompanied violinist Stanichka Dimitrova and pianist Nana Shi to the Bronx High School of Science. As part of the New York Composers Circle outreach program, we presented a mini-recital to two music classes. I played the role of emcee, introducing the pieces and providing some commentary. These fine musicians performed my violin sonata (it was written for Ms. Dimitrova), Stanislawski’s Subito, Debussy’s Sonata in G, and music by the NYCC founder, Jacob E. Goodman.

Stanichka Dimitrova, Nana Shi

Stanichka Dimitrova, Richard D. Russell, Nana Shi

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“A Poe Fantasia” sung in NYCC’s “Encores Outreach Program”

Richard D. Russell — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:49:00 +0000

On Friday May 7, the New York Composers Circle presented an “Encores” Outreach Program at the JASA West Side Community Center on the upper west side of Manhattan. Soprano Sofia Dimitrova, accompanied by Catherine Miller, performed my “A Poe Fantasia” and works by Paul Moravec, Copland, Menotti, Ives, and Kevin McCarter. The NYCC’s Executive Director, John de Clef Pi√±eiro, emceed the event, providing an educational overview of 20th Century art song.

The only problem with these events is that since I’m taking pictures, I don’t always get a chance to get a picture of me in there! But here are several pics of the day’s event. (Click for larger size.)

Catherine Miller and Sofia Dimitrova relax before the concert

Sofia Dimitrova and Catherine Miller compare notes

NYCC director John de Clef Pineiro addresses the audience

Another view of John de Clef Pineiro

Sofia Dimitrova sings

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Emcee at NYCC Concert

Richard D. Russell — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:02:00 +0000

I was the master of ceremonies at the recent April 5 2009 concert presented by the New York Composers Circle. What a successful afternoon of music and performances! There was new music by Roger Blanc, Richard Brooks, Victor Frost, Don Hagar, Carl Kanter, Eugene McBride, Miki Nakanishi, William Vollinger.

Superb performances were offered up by SWEET PLANTAIN: Romulo Benavides, Eddie Venegas, violins, Orlando Wells, viola, David Gotay, cello, with David Holtzman, piano, Michael Laderman, flute, Nataliya Medvedovskaya, piano, Christopher Oldfather, piano, Mark Snyder, oboe, Cesar Vuksic, piano, Rozanna Weinberger, viola

More pics from the day can be found at the NYCC Flickr page.

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Richard Russell at the NYCC

Richard D. Russell — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:10:00 +0000

Although I was battling a cold, my¬†presentation to the New York Composers Circle last Sunday was quite successful. “Questions my Composition Teacher Never Asked Me” was attended by about 25 people in midtown Manhattan, followed by a great Q&A and a healthy discussion. A big part of my lecture was dedicated to analyzing Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto for Orchestra. Here’s several pics…

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Richard Russell to present lecture at NYCC

Richard D. Russell — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:44:00 +0000

I have been invited to present my lecture/demonstration, “Questions my Composition Teacher Never Asked Me,” to the New York Composers Circle at their monthly salon. This is the same presentation I offered at Mannes College of Music’s Composer’s Forum last October. The date is almost here: this Sunday, March 15, at 2pm. There is no charge and all are invited. The NYCC meets at the Ellington Room in Manhattan Plaza, 400 West 43rd Street. (Ask the doorman to point you toward the Ellington Room; it is on the second floor.) There will be the usual monthly reception after the lecture. Hope to see you there!

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