American composer and broadcaster (1933–2020)
Robert Russell (1933 – March 29, 2020) was an American composer, educator, and broadcaster.
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 .
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of his music was published by Paul Kapp's General Music Publication Company; some published scores and manuscripts have been archived by NYPL's American Music Center.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]
^ "Radio" . The New York Times . 1975-11-15. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-10-22 .
^ "Radio" . The New York Times . 1975-11-01. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-10-22 .
^ "Radio" . The New York Times . 1976-06-05. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-10-22 .
^ Woodward, Angela (2020-05-14). "Remembering WPR Music Host Robert Russell" . Wisconsin Public Radio . Retrieved 2022-10-21 .
^ "Robert W. Russell Obituary" . www.tributearchive.com . Retrieved 2022-10-21 .
^ "Barbara Boehm Is Married" . The New York Times . 1983-12-11. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-10-21 .
^ National Gallery of Art: Twenty-Third American Music Festival (PDF) (Music Festival program notes). National Gallery of Art. April 15, 1966.
^ Dreisbach, Kimberly (2010). The Contributions of Dallas Weekley and Nancy Arganbright to Piano Duet Performance and Literature (DMA thesis). Oklahoma University.
^ Live, Palomar College: Rodewald and Morebello, duo pianists , retrieved 2022-10-22
^ Strongin, Theodore (Apr 14, 1965). "Composer Group Unveils Its Work" . The New York Times . p. 34. ProQuest 116801855 . Retrieved 2022-10-24 .
^ Directory of Operas/musicals for Young Audiences: From Kindergarten Through High School : Performed by Children And/or Adults . Central Opera Service. 1984. p. 132.
^ Griffel, Margaret Ross (2012-12-21). Operas in English: A Dictionary . Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-8325-3 .
^ Summers, W. Franklin (1996). Operas in One Act: A Production Guide . Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-3222-0 .
^ "Music Notes" . The New York Times . March 18, 1966. p. 33. ProQuest 117187890 . Retrieved 2022-10-24 .
^ a b c d "Back Matter" . Notes . 27 (2): 405. 1970. ISSN 0027-4380 . JSTOR 896966 .
^ Russell, Robert (1968). Places: Suite for piano 4 hands . New York, NY: General Music Publishing Co. OCLC 16840250 .
^ Dawes, Frank (1969). "... And Duets" . The Musical Times . 110 (1518): 864–865. doi :10.2307/953294 . ISSN 0027-4666 . JSTOR 953294 .
^ McGraw, Cameron (1968). "An Annual Survey: Piano Music for Children" . Notes . 25 (2): 339–345. doi :10.2307/894047 . ISSN 0027-4380 . JSTOR 894047 .
^ "Who Makes Music and Where" . The New York Times . Feb 20, 1966. p. X14. ProQuest 117107582 . Retrieved 2022-10-24 .
^ Strongin, Theodore (Feb 25, 1966). "Wentworths Make 4-Hand Piano Debut" . The New York Times . p. 25. ProQuest 117123799 . Retrieved 2022-10-24 .
^ Russell, Robert (1968). Abstracts No. 1 for two clarinets, op. 14 . New York, NY: General Music Publishing Co. OCLC 10158246 .
^ 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 .
^ a b c "American Music Center collection of published scores" . archives.nypl.org . Retrieved 2022-10-22 .
^ Russell, Robert (1968). Metamorphoses: for clarinet alone . New York : Boston, Mass: General Music ; Boston Music.
^ Russell, Robert (1968). Sonatina, for trumpet and piano, op 23 . New York: General Music Pub. Co.; [sole selling agent: Boston Music Co., Boston].
^ Russell, Robert (1969). Sonata in one movement: for trombone (or horn) and piano, op. 24 . New York, NY: General Music Publishing Co. OCLC 5303972 .
^ Russell, Robert (1968). Pan: for flute & piano . New York : Boston: General Music Pub. Co. ; Sole selling agent, Boston Music Co.
^ 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 .
^ Luther, Robert (May 2018). Trumpet ensemble composition and arranging: applications, strategies, and current composer perspectives (Thesis thesis).
^ "Abstracts No. 2 for 4 trumpets & 2 flugelhorns" . Wiff Rudd . Retrieved 2022-10-22 .
^ "Back Matter" . Notes . 28 (2): 363. 1971. ISSN 0027-4380 . JSTOR 940432 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Office, Library of Congress Copyright (1967). Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1964: January-June . Copyright Office, Library of Congress. p. 751.
^ 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 .
^ "WNYC American Music Festival" . www.carnegiehall.org . Retrieved 2022-10-21 .