"Time is Not an Option" premieres at Fordham University, April 24, 2010

My new piece, "Time is Not an Option" premiered last Saturday, April 24, at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus. This piece was commissioned by the Poets Out Loud faculty of Fordham. Unfortunately, the Fordham poet I was paired with, Elisabeth Frost, was unable to attend as she is in Europe on a Fulbright scholarship. Fordham's poet-in-residence, Janet E. Kaplan, deputized in the reading of Frost's poems. The esteemed musicologist, Lawrence Kramer, refereed the awarding of commissions, and was the evening's emcee. As well, he offered up some of his own music and poetry.

The musicians came by way of Bard College in upstate New York. Soprano Ilana Zarankin sang many of the other songs this evening, and soprano Clarissa Lyons performed my particular cycle. Shun-Yang Lee was the evening's accompanist.

Other composers on the evening included Martin Hennesey, Mary Anne Joyce-Walter, and Alexander Nohai-Seaman. The poems set to music were written by Edward Hirsch, D. Nurske, Janet Kaplan, and Heather Dubrow.

It was a great concert, so I'm posting a lot of pics here, Click image for a larger size.

Lawrence Kramer

Clarissa Lyons

Shun Yang, piano; Clarissa Lyons

Ilana Zarankin, Clarissa Lyons, Richard Russell

Clarissa Lyons, Shun Yang, Richard Russell

Janet Kaplan, Lawrence Kramer, Richard Russell

Great Rehearsal of "Time is Not an Option" at Bard College

Ilana Zarankin

Clarissa Lyons

Yesterday I traveled to the beautiful Bard College campus in upstate New York to attend a rehearsal of "Time is Not an Option," which premieres this Saturday. (...with texts by Elisabeth Frost.) I heard a few of the other composers works, too, and I can say this will be a great concert!

I was so impressed with Bard's Olin Hall I took a few pix to share with my iPhone. The sopranos are Ilana Zarankin and Clarissa Lyons, the pianist is Shun-Yang Lee. Each of them are superb.

New Concert Series features Two Richard Russell Compositions

A special chamber music version of "The Tune is in the Tree" will be performed by soprano Marjorie Berg, and Pamela Stein will sing "When Time is Over" in a concert celebrating the poetry of Emily Dickinson, April 25 at 3pm. This is the inaugural presentation of a new concert series, Seasonal Sunday Salons, housed in the Bell & Barter Theater at 13 Church Street in Rockaway, NJ. (I think this is my New Jersey premiere.) Here's the press release:

In Mid Air Productions presents A Little Madness in the Spring: The Poems of Emily Dickinson. In Mid Air Productions presents its ode to spring as a part of the Seasonal Sunday Salon Series. These are comprised of four yearly concerts which highlight the works of famous poets through reading and songs. The Seasonal Sunday Salons have a strong literary and thematic base and marry traditional and contemporary settings with the works of classic authors.

A Little Madness in the Spring features the poetry of Emily Dickinson and the compositions of contemporary composers, including Robert W. Butts, professor and conductor of the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, and ASCAP award winner, Richard D. Russell, and Raphael Fusco. Performers include sopranos Marjorie Berg and Pamela Stein and pianist Aaron Dai. Also performing are Anthony Bevilacqua, violin, Dan Sagi, clarinet, Andrew Pecota, bassoon, and Nancy Connell, cello. Robert Butts is the day's conductor, and this event is being directed by Emily Clare Thompson.

The Bell and Barter Theater and Cultural Arts Center proudly hosts this event. The Bell and Barter Theater and Cultural Arts Center of Rockaway New Jersey is less that 37 miles and only an hour away from the Lincoln Tunnel. Come join us for a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and an intimate afternoon with Emily Dickinson.

Tickets are $25 at the door, $15 if reserved by April 23. Students and seniors are $15 at the door, $10 if reserved by April 23. For reservations, email your name, ticket type, and number of tickets to seasonal.sunday.salons@gmail.com Ticket price includes a wine and cheese reception.

Sponsored by Seasonal Sunday Salons, In Mid Air Productions

For more info, visit inmidairproductions.wordpress.com or call 201-704-2958

Click the flier for a larger view!

Christina Goyne sings "When Time is Over"

It was so terrific to hear Christina Goyne perform "When Time is Over" in her recital last night. She's a new singer to my music, and she did a spectacular job, very inspiring. Since she is a mezzo I wrote a special arrangement of the piece for her, but I'll have to write something original for her to perform: She's great. Jason Wirth was the superb and sensitive accompanist. Here's some pics from the evening (click to enlarge).

Jason Wirth accompanies Christina Goyne

Jason Wirth, Christina Goyne

Richard Russell with Christina Goyne after the concert