Joseph Russo
During 2020 and 2021 Joe completed work on his Fourth Symphony, Fantasy for French horn and Strings and Fantasy for Trumpet and Strings…all awaiting their world premieres. Over the years Joe has composed many pieces for flute.
Composer Joseph Russo studied with Robert Starer and Vincent Persichetti (among others) at Juilliard and with Luther Noss at Yale, attending composition/music theory classes at both schools. Russo has developed and continues to develop his own personal melodic and tonal compositional style. He has composed numerous chamber and orchestra works including “Elegy and Prayer” for Strings (1985), “Concordance” for Double Brass Quintet (1991) Flute and Oboe Concerto (1994), “Celebration” for Orchestra (1999), Triple Flute Concerto (2000), “In Memoriam” 9/11 - for Strings (2001), “Tribute” (2002) for Concert Band (commissioned by Northeastern University), First Symphony (2004), Kyrie & Gloria(2005) for choir and chamber orchestra, to name just a few. Russo’s First Symphony (2004) was premiered by Orchestra New England in New Haven on May 1, 2004. His Triple Flute Concerto (2000) was given its west coast premiere in La Mirada, California in October 2007. His Septet “Distant Light” for Flute, Clarinet, Harp and String Quartet – commissioned by the Fontenay Chamber Players – was premiered by the commissioning ensemble in April 2007 in Wilton, Connecticut.
On November 2, 2008 Russo conducted the European premiere of his “Concordance” for Double Brass Quintet in Hanover, Germany. His “Mourning Mist” for Guitar and String Quartet (2008) was premiered at the Long Island Guitar Festival in 2013, his Four Pieces for Strings “Homage to Bach” (2009) was premiered by Orchestra New England in 2009 and his one movement brass quintet “Hannoverture” (2008) was premiered in Germany in 2008. His trombone quartet “Seasides” (2010) in three movements was given its world premiere in the UK.
Joe’s Symphony #2 (2012) was premiered by Orchestra New England in New Haven in 2013. Joe was commissioned by the Palisades Virtuosi (NJ) to compose his Friendship Trio (2016) for flute, clarinet and piano – this piece was given its world premiere in November 2016 by the commissioning ensemble. His tone poem “New England Portrait” (2016) for chamber orchestra was premiered by Orchestra New England in February 2017. His Third Symphony (2016) was given its world premiere by Orchestra New England on March 9, 2019 in Battell Chapel in New Haven to celebrate the orchestra’s 45th birthday.
In the fall of 2017 Russo was commissioned by flutist Helen Rosenblatt to compose music for the newly formed Connecticut Flute Orchestra – the premiere of his “American Robin” and “Mountain-laurel” for Flute Orchestra was given in September 2018 at Wesleyan University (CT). In 2018 Joe’s ballet music “New England Portrait” (…with the same instrumentation as Copland’s original Appalachian Spring ballet) was given its world premiere performance by Orchestra New England. In the summer of 2018 Russo completed work on three orchestra works: “Forever Young”, “Remembrance”, “Elegy” and “In Memoriam”. “Remembrance” had its world premiere along with his Third Symphony on Orchestra New England’s March 9, 2019 concert.
His overture “Forever Young” was first performed at New Haven’s Memorial Day concert in 2019.
During 2020 and 2021 Joe completed work on his Fourth Symphony, Fantasy for French horn and Strings and Fantasy for Trumpet and Strings…all awaiting their world premieres. In October 2023 Joe oversaw the recording of his First and Second Symphonies by the Navarro Symphony in Pamplona, Spain. On May 4, 2024 Joe’s Fifth Symphony will be given its world premiere by Orchestra New England in New Haven, Connecticut. Over the years Joe has composed many pieces for flute.
Other samples of Joe’s compositions may be heard on his website:
Composer Joseph M Russo contact information:
Phone: 203 226 1416
Email: JoeR12161770@gmail.com
