Russo, Charles
RUSSO CHARLES “CHARLIE”, One of the most highly regarded clarinetists of our time, Charles Russo has distinguished himself as a soloist, chamber artist and orchestral musician in countless performances, television broadcasts, film scores, and recordings. Many of these were historic performances, such as Pablo Casal’s US appearance at the 25th anniversary of the United Nations, with Luciano Pavarotti as part of the 100th telecast of “Live From Lincoln Center,” and as a soloist in Morton Gould’s “Derivations for Solo Clarinet” for the Aaron Copland Tribute concert.
Well known for his performance of the standard repertoire, Mr. Russo’s career has encompassed many facets of music, including 20th century music affiliations with such venues as the Bennington Composers’ Conference, the “Music In Our Time” series at the 92nd Street Y, and “20th Century Innovations” (with Gunther Schuller). He has been guest artist and soloist with some of the country’s leading string quartets, chamber ensembles and orchestras. In addition to his position as Principal Clarinet of the New York City Opera Orchestra, he has served as principal clarinet on nearly every orchestra series in the metropolitan New York area. He has been a guest artist with the Juilliard, Guarneri, Emerson, and Bartok Quartets, and has been featured with the New York Chamber Soloists, New School Concerts, Musica Aeterna, and the New York Chamber Symphony.
Charles Russo is heard on more than 100 recordings (with a number of Grammy nominations and awards), among them with Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland, Leopold Stokowski, Pierre Boulez, and Artur Rubinstein. His two most recent recordings, “Works of Gordon Jacob” and “Clarinet alla Cinema”, both on the Premier record label, have garnered national critical acclaim.
Mr. Russo is also an important influence on the current generation of classical musicians, teaching and conducting master classes around the country. He is on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music, the State University of New York at Purchase, and the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. Previous appointments have included the faculties of Yale, Vassar, and the New England Conservatory of Music.
