Richard D. Russell » Tamara Cashour

“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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“When Time is Over” presented by NYCC

Richard D. Russell — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:42:00 +0000

I’m a little late in posting a recap, but better late than never! On February 23, 2010, Sofia Dimitrova, accompanied by Tamara Cashour (not pictured) performed “When Time is Over” in a concert presented by the New York Composers Circle. The venue here is Saint Peters Church at the Citigroup Building. I was delighted to see so many old and new friends at the concert.

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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Two Pieces to Premiere Feb 15

Richard D. Russell — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:55:00 +0000

In an afternoon concert at Mannes College of Music, two new pieces will be premiered. First is an “Adagio” from a forthcoming string quartet, featuring Stanichka Dimitrova, violin (pictured), Lisa Romain, violin, Rose Hashimoto, viola, and Desiree Abbey, cello. The second premiere is “When Time is Over” a song cycle of four Emily Dickinson poems. The soprano will be Sofia Dimitrova (pictured), with Tamara Cashour on piano. The rest of the concert will be comprised of pieces by Mannes faculty and alumni. Mannes College is located at 150 West 85th Street, and the concert begins at 1pm. Admission is free.

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