Robert Russell (composer)

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Robert Russell (1933 – March 29, 2020) was an American composer, educator, and broadcaster.

Biography[edit]

Russell was born in 1933 in Hempstead, New York.

He received bachelor's and master's degrees in composition from the Manhattan School of Music. After graduation, he served on the faculty of the City University of New York. He then became a classical music broadcaster on WNYC, hosting the "world" classical music program Hands Across The Sea upon the retirement of WNYC's original music director Herman Neuman.[1][2][3]

In 1977 he joined the staff of Wisconsin Public Radio and remained there until his retirement in 1995.[4] He hosted and produced several classical music programs, including Morning Concert, Tonight At 8, and Sunday Afternoon Live from the Elvehjem.[5]

In 1983 he married Barbara Boehm.[6]

He died on March 29, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Legacy[edit]

His compositions were performed worldwide, including premieres at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Some of his music was published by Paul Kapp's General Music Publication Company; some published scores and manuscripts have been archived by NYPL's American Music Center. His suite Places for piano 4-hands, which contains extra-musical inspiration and allusions to several New York City locations, has been kept alive in the repertoire by Jean and Kenneth Wentworth,[7] Weekley & Arganbright[8] and Rodewald & Morebello.[9] His Abstract No. 2, has been kept alive in the brass repertoire through Wuff Ridd's arrangement for trumpet ensemble.

Selected compositions[edit]

  • End of May, a "music drama", excerpts of which were performed at Carnegie Recital Hall on April 13, 1965 by Bradley Alexander and Jennie Kallas.[10]
  • So How Does Your Garden Grow? (1965), one-act opera buffa, libretto by Russell.[11] Premiered March 18, 1966 in Carnegie Hall.[12][13][14]
  • Places, op. 9, suite for piano 4-hands, dedicated to his niece Helen Clark, premiered Feb 24th at Carnegie Recital Hall by Jean and Kenneth Wentworth[15][16][17][18][19][20]
  • Abstract No. 1, op. 14 for two clarinets and dancer[15][21][22][23]
  • Metamorphoses, op. 19 for clarinet alone[24]
  • Sonatinas, op. 23 for trumpet and piano[25]
  • Sonata in one movement for trombone (or horn) and piano, op. 24 (1967)[26]
  • Pan, op. 26 for flute and piano[27]
  • Scherzo, for clarinet and piano[15]
  • Abstract No. 2 for two trumpets or horns.[15][28] Arranged for trumpet ensemble by Wuff Ridd.[29][30]
  • Duo for flute and piano[31]
  • Brass quintet[32]
  • Woodwind Quintet op. 32[33]
  • A Spring Sampler[34]
  • Symphony for Six: A Percussion Sextet (1971) premiered at Carnegie Hall as part of WNYC's 33rd Annual American Music Festival.[35][36]
  • Dover Beach, song for voice and piano[23]
  • Manhattan from my window, song for voice and piano[23]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Radio". The New York Times. 1975-11-15. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  2. ^ "Radio". The New York Times. 1975-11-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  3. ^ "Radio". The New York Times. 1976-06-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  4. ^ Woodward, Angela (2020-05-14). "Remembering WPR Music Host Robert Russell". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  5. ^ "Robert W. Russell Obituary". www.tributearchive.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  6. ^ "Barbara Boehm Is Married". The New York Times. 1983-12-11. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  7. ^ National Gallery of Art: Twenty-Third American Music Festival (PDF) (Music Festival program notes). National Gallery of Art. April 15, 1966.
  8. ^ Dreisbach, Kimberly (2010). The Contributions of Dallas Weekley and Nancy Arganbright to Piano Duet Performance and Literature (DMA thesis). Oklahoma University.
  9. ^ Live, Palomar College: Rodewald and Morebello, duo pianists, retrieved 2022-10-22
  10. ^ Strongin, Theodore (Apr 14, 1965). "Composer Group Unveils Its Work". The New York Times. p. 34. ProQuest 116801855. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  11. ^ Directory of Operas/musicals for Young Audiences: From Kindergarten Through High School : Performed by Children And/or Adults. Central Opera Service. 1984. p. 132.
  12. ^ Griffel, Margaret Ross (2012-12-21). Operas in English: A Dictionary. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-8325-3.
  13. ^ Summers, W. Franklin (1996). Operas in One Act: A Production Guide. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-3222-0.
  14. ^ "Music Notes". The New York Times. March 18, 1966. p. 33. ProQuest 117187890. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  15. ^ a b c d "Back Matter". Notes. 27 (2): 405. 1970. ISSN 0027-4380. JSTOR 896966.
  16. ^ Russell, Robert (1968). Places: Suite for piano 4 hands. New York, NY: General Music Publishing Co. OCLC 16840250.
  17. ^ Dawes, Frank (1969). "... And Duets". The Musical Times. 110 (1518): 864–865. doi:10.2307/953294. ISSN 0027-4666. JSTOR 953294.
  18. ^ McGraw, Cameron (1968). "An Annual Survey: Piano Music for Children". Notes. 25 (2): 339–345. doi:10.2307/894047. ISSN 0027-4380. JSTOR 894047.
  19. ^ "Who Makes Music and Where". The New York Times. Feb 20, 1966. p. X14. ProQuest 117107582. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  20. ^ Strongin, Theodore (Feb 25, 1966). "Wentworths Make 4-Hand Piano Debut". The New York Times. p. 25. ProQuest 117123799. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  21. ^ Russell, Robert (1968). Abstracts No. 1 for two clarinets, op. 14. New York, NY: General Music Publishing Co. OCLC 10158246.
  22. ^ O'Loughlin, Niall (1968). Krenek, Ernst; Perle, George; Russell, Robert; Paciorkiewicz, Tadeusz; Zanaboni, Giuseppe (eds.). "Modern Woodwind". The Musical Times. 109 (1509): 1050–1051. doi:10.2307/952149. ISSN 0027-4666. JSTOR 952149.
  23. ^ a b c "American Music Center collection of published scores". archives.nypl.org. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  24. ^ Russell, Robert (1968). Metamorphoses: for clarinet alone. New York : Boston, Mass: General Music ; Boston Music.
  25. ^ Russell, Robert (1968). Sonatina, for trumpet and piano, op 23. New York: General Music Pub. Co.; [sole selling agent: Boston Music Co., Boston].
  26. ^ Russell, Robert (1969). Sonata in one movement: for trombone (or horn) and piano, op. 24. New York, NY: General Music Publishing Co. OCLC 5303972.
  27. ^ Russell, Robert (1968). Pan: for flute & piano. New York : Boston: General Music Pub. Co. ; Sole selling agent, Boston Music Co.
  28. ^ O'Loughlin, Niall (1968). Stravinsky, Igor; Russell, Robert; Evans, Robert; Stoker, Richard; Barber, Samuel (eds.). "Modern Brass". The Musical Times. 109 (1509): 1050. doi:10.2307/952148. ISSN 0027-4666. JSTOR 952148.
  29. ^ Luther, Robert (May 2018). Trumpet ensemble composition and arranging: applications, strategies, and current composer perspectives (Thesis thesis).
  30. ^ "Abstracts No. 2 for 4 trumpets & 2 flugelhorns". Wiff Rudd. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  31. ^ "Back Matter". Notes. 28 (2): 363. 1971. ISSN 0027-4380. JSTOR 940432.
  32. ^ Chiandusse, Richard S.; Lorini, Joseph; Martin, Jean Frazier; Leon, Jay; Mignone, John; Deaver, Susan Elizabeth; Kriegler, Mitchell; Volckhausen, Lee; Shepley, Maryellen, eds. (1975). Alumni composition concert.
  33. ^ Sprung, David (1973). "Review of Quintet for Winds; Woodwind Quintet; Woodwind Quintet, op. 32; Pentagram for Woodwind Quintet; Zeachis Hafis, Quintetto 67 für Flöte, Oboe, Klarinette in B, Horn in F und Fagott". Notes. 29 (3): 550–551. doi:10.2307/896469. ISSN 0027-4380. JSTOR 896469.
  34. ^ Office, Library of Congress Copyright (1967). Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1964: January-June. Copyright Office, Library of Congress. p. 751.
  35. ^ Manhattan School of Music; Price, Paul; Korf, Anthony; Lyman, Thomas; Sallier, Robert; Varèse, Edgard; Russell, Robert; Kraft, William; Ernst, David, eds. (1972). Concert of March 16, 1972.
  36. ^ "WNYC American Music Festival". www.carnegiehall.org. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
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