Richard D. Russell » Three Partings

“Three Partings” at Mannes

Richard D. Russell — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:04:06 +0000

I was very pleased to welcome some new interpreters of my music this past weekend, February 19. Sofia Dimitrova, soprano, and her sister, Stanichka Dimitrova, violin, have performed my music many times. This past weekend I was delighted to welcome some new musicians: Christopher Schneller, piano, and Claire Stancarone, cello.

They performed my Three Partings, a song cycle of three poems by Lord Byron. It was premiered a year ago in New Jersey with different singers in the different songs, but this year it was performed as a whole song cycle. It was a marathon concert at Mannes College of Music, with many of the school’s composers (alumni and faculty) contributing pieces to the afternoon.

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“Amid the Blinding Snow” Feb. 20 pictures

Richard D. Russell — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:50:55 +0000

In Mid Air Productions presented another successful concert last Sunday, February 20, “Amid the Blinding Snow.” Richard Russell’s new compositions included Three Partings, Amid the Blinding Snow, and Ah! Are You Digging on my Grave? Robert W. Butts contributed several pieces in addition to conducting, and newcomer Kevin McCarter, composer, was welcomed too.

More pictures will be presented soon, but here’s the first round.

Dan Foran and Emily Clare Thompson ham it up

Dan Foran as the dog from “Are You Digging on My Grave?”

The cast takes a bow

Composer Kevin McCarter with pianist Aaron Dai

Robert W. Butts, Emily Clare Thompson, Kevin McCarter

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Concert Reminder: Feb 20, 2011

Richard D. Russell — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:37:04 +0000

In Mid Air Productions will present “Amid the Blinding Snow: Songs of Love Lost” this Sunday, Feb 20 at 3pm. The venue is the Bell and Barter Theater at 13 Church Street in Rockaway, NJ. See inmidairproductions.wordpress.com for more information, driving directions, and to reserve your seat!

There will be several premieres, including my “Ah! Are You Digging on My Grave?” based on the Thomas Hardy poem (see rehearsal pic here). Also, “Three Partings” which is based on three poems of Lord Byron, and lastly (but not leastly), “Amid the Blinding Snow” which is based on Elizabeth Siddal’s poem, “Worn Out.”

Also on the bill will be music by Kevin McCarter and Robert W. Butts.

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“Amid the Blinding Snow” and other premieres

Richard D. Russell — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:02:25 +0000

On February 20 at 3pm at the Bell and Barter Theater in Rockaway, New Jersey, Richard D. Russell will premiere several new pieces: “Three Partings” with texts by Lord Byron, “Are You Digging on My Grave?” based on Thomas Hardy’s humorous poem, and “Amid the Blinding Snow” based on a poem by Elisabeth Sidwell. The concert is being presented by In Mid Air Productions.

From the press release: “In February we think of of Valentine’s Day, with its celebration of flirtation, love, and romance. But it is also a cold, barren time, and so In Mid Air Productions offers up a twist, paying tribute to love gone wrong in ¬†“Amid the Blinding Snow.”

The concert will also feature music by Robert Butts and Kevin McCarter.

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