vale (for three alto kalimbas, 2001) is a very simple piece. It consists of a melodic pattern which is built up in three-part harmony, followed by a mirror image of this process to create an arch form. It reaches its peak in a square 64 measures, inhabiting an intuitive, casual music space. It was composed… Continue reading 2001+21 vale
Category: Postclassical
1991+30 Indigo Pool
“Indigo Pool” is the first song from my 1991 DIY cassette album ōo, in my lo-fi, high-concept early period. The song was composed as it was recorded, layer by layer, beginning with the rhythmic pattern in 11/8 played on two empty plastic water cooler bottles anchored by an abandoned ride cymbal I found in the… Continue reading 1991+30 Indigo Pool
we have lived before at Ottawa Chamberfest
Fresh from giving the world premiere of we have lived before at Toronto Summer Music, Gryphon Trio performs my new work twice at Ottawa Chamberfest, on Wednesday, July 28 (7 pm, virtual only, in-person sold out) and Thursday July 29 (2 pm, limited in-person still available). I’ll be there to introduce the piece and tell… Continue reading we have lived before at Ottawa Chamberfest
we have lived before – Gryphon Trio Premiere
On Friday, July 16, 2021, Gryphon Trio will premiere my three-movement work for piano trio we have lived before (2021), as part of Toronto Summer Music. The virtual concert is free as is the entire festival. The title of this work is taken from an Earthseed verse in Octavia E. Butler’s novel Parable of the… Continue reading we have lived before – Gryphon Trio Premiere
Holding Pattern
Holding Pattern (2003) is the closest thing to garden variety minimal music that I’ve written. It’s somewhat less a composition than an active meditation ritual. The steady, two-against-three rhythm established in the opening measures remains the same for the entire duration of about ten minutes. The right hand remains fixed on a droning, pendulum-like figure… Continue reading Holding Pattern
Black History Month Soundstreams Feature
As part of Black History Month 2021, Soundstreams highlighted my work. This included profiles of several of my compositions with newly written introductions by me (Kalimba Canon, Companion and Linea Nigra), which can be found here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3.
For Celine
For Celine (1995) was composed on the occasion of the birth of my brother’s first child, for whom the piece was named. It’s special in another way as well. It’s probably the first composition that is consistent with the general body of my work, though not necessarily an Opus 1. My focus as a musician… Continue reading For Celine
Sequences
Sequences (2000, rev. 2020) is scored for percussion and two marimbas. The title refers to sequences both in the sense of a musical phrase that repeats with a variation in pitch each time (in this case, with a variation in rhythm as well), and in the sense of an arrangement programmed electronically using a sequencer… Continue reading Sequences
Livestream and Programme for “The Music of Bruce A. Russell”
Here is the link for tonight’s first-ever concert of my music by The Array Ensemble. Viewing is free or by optional donation. You may be asked to create a free account in order to access the livestream. Please consider donating to Arraymusic as they are a historic and vital part of Toronto’s new music scene,… Continue reading Livestream and Programme for “The Music of Bruce A. Russell”
95/25: Uhuru
Uhuru is a self-released album which was completed during the winter of 1995 and released in the fall. I had originally hoped to release it on CD but was unable to secure sufficient funds, so it arrived in a run of 100 cassettes. The program was over 70 minutes long, comprising mainly songs and instrumentals… Continue reading 95/25: Uhuru
EL MAHBOOB 