Richard D. Russell

In introducing my Adagio for String Quartet at the recent Dec. 20 NYCC performance, held at the Saint Peter’s Church at Citigroup Center, I explained that this is a movement from a larger string quartet which is yet to be completed.

I’ve written three movements, but the quartet seems somehow incomplete still, needing a final movement to wrap up the whole artistic statement. That said, I’m very fond of this Adagio and am anxious to bring it to a larger audience.

There was a very large crowd on hand as this concert sadly marked the recent passing of one of the New York Composers Circle’s most prominent and enthusiastic members, Dr. Dinu Ghezzo. He will be missed.

On a happier note, this concert marked the start of the NYCC’s 10th year.

I received some of the nicest, most enthusiastic comments yet for a performance of a piece of mine. I heartily thank the evening’s performers, Stanichka Dimitrova and Arthur Moeller on violin, Kim Mai Nguyen on viola, and Hamilton Berry on cello.

Stanichka Dimitrova & Arthur Moeller

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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 Piñeiro

Tamara Cashour, Sofia Dimitrova

Tamara Cashour and Sofia Dimitrova

Sofia Dimitrova

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Stanichka Dimitrova, Nana Shi

Stanichka Dimitrova, Nana Shi

Stanichka Dimitrova, Richard D. Russell, Nana Shi

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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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Addressing the audience

Sofia Dimitrova

After the concert congratulations!

As is the habit of the NYCC, I was asked to say a few words about the piece beforehand. Instead, I couldn’t help but remark this is the second time the NYCC has asked me to open a concert with a piece that is rather dark in tone. (The first time was “Three Elegies” at Symphony Space, back in 2007, performed by Tiffany DuMouchelle and percussionist Stephen Solook.) It doesn’t seem like the best idea to open a concert with pieces along the lines of “Three Elegies” or “When Time is Over!” So I joked that if you want someone to open your concert with one of those slow, meditative, ruminative pieces about life and death, I’m obviously your go-to guy! Fortunately, the audience got the joke. Here’s some pics and, because of the low lighting, apologies for the quality! (Click images for larger size.)

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On January 6, 2010, the NYCC gave two back-to-back recitals, each lasting a full school period, to nearly 200 students and their music faculty at the Bronx High School of Science (the NYCC’s first Community Encores recital in a school venue to teenagers). In a survey of art songs spanning the last 100 years, soprano Sofia Dimitrova and pianist Catherine Miller, with introductions and commentary by executive director, John de Clef Pi√±eiro, presented samples of the new music vocal repertoire of Charles Ives, Aaron Copland, Gian Carlo Menotti, as well as music by current and former NYCC member composers. Notably, Composer Member Richard Russell was on hand to introduce and comment on the composition of his Three Elegies, and to answer questions from the audience. Both presentations were very well received and the NYCC was invited back by the faculty to give other future recitals. This first outreach recital of 2010 is part of an expanded series of outreach programs that the NYCC will present during the spring.

Here are some pics; click for larger size.

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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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