Roger Zahab: Complete Works for Solo Cello (so far!)

David Russell will perform and discuss works for solo cello by Pittsburgh-based composer, conductor and violinist Roger Zahab. Roger’s unique and beautiful style weaves together sumptuous romanticism, “Cage-ian” whimsy, complex but listenable harmony and a deeply personal sense of friendship.

In preparation for a recording project of music by one of his closest mentors and collaborators, David is delighted to play and talk about this body of work ranging from miniatures lasting less than a minute to multi-movement Britten-esque essays. This opportunity to share the fruits of a more than 30 year association is just too great to pass up.

Please come join us!

DAVID RUSSELL – Hailed as “superb”, “incisive” and “sonorous and panoramic” in The Boston Globe, David Russell maintains a vigorous schedule both as soloist and as collaborator in the U.S. and Europe. He was appointed to the teaching faculty of Wellesley College in 2005 and currently serves as Senior Lecturer and Director of Chamber Music. A strong advocate of new music, Russell has performed with such ensembles as BMOP, Firebird Ensemble, Callithumpian Consort, Music on the Edge, Dinosaur Annex, Collage, the Fromm Players at Harvard and entelechron. Recent projects include recordings of works by Eric Moe, Lee Hyla, Tamar Diesendruck, Donald Crockett, Chen Yi and Roger Zahab, premieres of chamber works by Barbara White, Daron Hagen, José-Luis Hurtado, Robert Carl and Gilda Lyons, premieres of works for cello and orchestra by Sam Nichols and Laurie San Martin, recordings of cello concertos by Chen Yi and Lukas Foss, and new works for solo cello by Andrew Rindfleisch, Nicholas Vines, Martha Horst and John Mallia. He is a busy performer in the Boston area, making regular appearances with such ensembles as Cantata Singers and Ensemble, the Worcester Chamber Music Society and Emmanuel Music. He serves as Principal cello of Odyssey Opera and has served as cello faculty at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Russell has recorded for the Tzaddik, Albany, BMOPSound, New Focus, CRI, Centaur and New World Records labels.