Watch it Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vppoveOQ71w

Composed during the first Sydney Covid-19 lockdown (April 2020), the work was a much-needed distraction during a time of crisis. The work was written with (and for) violinist Julia Russoniello and uses the only instruments available to us during this lockdown period.

Werri Dance II was inspired by the light, colour and sounds of Werri Beach on the south coast of New South Wales. This simple and joyous dance represents a moment of optimism. It was premiered by myself and Julia Russoniello in May 2020 for Phoenix Central Park’s Behind Doors series.

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIny34skXnQ&list=PLTva-j0LFSH3Vdq_nYdazDRxJxP2hrGtR

Quinkana, originally a one movement work, was composed during a four-week isolation period in Japan at the start of the 2020 Covid-19 outbreak. The work was to be premiered by the Aura Ensemble in Houston (U.S.A.) in April 2020 however, as with most public performances in 2020, the premiere was cancelled. With the extra time afforded me by the circumstances of the pandemic, I added two more movements to Quinkana to create a suite.

The work is inspired by the completely fascinating megafauna species that were native to the Australian continent until approximately 40 000 years ago. Enormous, ferocious, awe inspiring and terrifying; one cannot help but wonder what interactions these animals had with the original human inhabitants of this continent.

I- Quinkana: A crocodile-like predator that could grow to seven metres in length. Unlike modern crocodiles, Quinkana lived and hunted on land. II- Genyornis A flightless bird with tiny wings that grew to approximately two metres in height. III- Diprotodon A rhinoceros-sized wombat. The largest marsupial that ever existed, it could grow to two metres in height and three metres in length.

Scoring Flute/Piccolo Bb Clarinet Eb Baritone Saxophone Percussion (one player): Vibraslap, Xylophone, Hi-hats, Kick Drum, Snare Drum, Floor Tom, Susp. Cymbal, Tapping sticks (or mallet handles), Vibraphone. Violin Cello Piano

For alto and soprano saxophone, violin, viola & cello. From the album The Golden Age Project.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/album/2JfEfCSlrNGEEZp1JKpTr5?si=5kgbCj9IQg2Ly6nlSKddHQ

This suite retells, in melody, historical events from Sydney in the 1920s. The first movement, Razorhurst, depicts the violent and somewhat romanticized razor gangs that were highly active in the inner city suburb of Darlinghurst. The second movement Greycliffe is composed in memory of the deadly Greycliffe ferry disaster of 1927. The collision between the small Greycliffe public ferry and a large steamer resulted in the death of forty passengers and is still the deadliest accident that has occurred in Sydney Harbour. The final optimistic movement, Bridgesteps, is inspired by the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This landmark was constructed step by step across the decade of the 1920s⸺ninety years on the bridge is still a focal point of the city’s identity.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3iONCF3dec

Also available for alto saxophone & strings and as Song, Hands & Stomp piano reduction. Contact nicrussoniello@gmail.com to order score & parts.

Concerto for Baritone Saxophone, Strings & You was composed for the 2023 Orange Chamber Music Festival Gala Concert. The work showcases the broad ranging expressive capabilities of the baritone saxophone and celebrates the singular joy that is live music performance. To this end, the work blurs the distinction between audience and performer. The audience is required to assist in the creation of immersive soundscapes that accompany and influence those on stage.

I - Song The work opens with a lyrical saxophone cadenza that outlines the concerto’s primary thematic material. In this opening, the harmonic series of the saxophone’s lowest B is silhouetted by interjections from the orchestra. This sparse soundscape is reinforced by a drone chanted by the audience. Following this, a driving and mixed metre theme is announced by the ensemble. The work builds towards a climactic passage that counters rapid arpeggios, multiphonics, bisbigliandi and cross rhythms in the solo part against a wash of arpeggios and chanting from the ensemble and audience. Evoking an EDM ‘riser and drop’, the soloist delivers a momentous harmonic glissando.

II - Hands Hands create a wash of sounds to commence Movement II. This rain (or rainforest) effect is accompanied by subtle vocalisations from the ensemble and avian harmonic flutters from soloist. Elements from the Movement I theme are reimagined into a new lullaby melody. This lullaby is first stated by a solo tenor saxophone and then developed by the alto soloist against a star-like backdrop of shifting harmonies. The movement swells to an appassionato waltz with soloist and orchestra in lockstep. Finally, the lullaby waltz dissipates into the rainforest wash.

III- Stomp Movement III is an angular and chromatic rock anthem powered by the stomping of feet. An opening groove is established by the soloist and soon taken up by the low strings, allowing the soloist to explore a range of virtuosic electric guitar inspired sound effects. Soloist and orchestra unite for a mixed-metre hook, devised from elements of the Movement I theme. The movement is structured around increasingly chromatic episodes from this returning hook. The climax of the work is a full-throttle alto saxophone cadenza: an eruption of multiphonics, bends, bisbigliandi and squeals that is ‘cheered on’ by a room full of stomping feet.

Listen Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmVMeHZl8ig&list=RDHmVMeHZl8ig&start_radio=1

Contact nicrussoniello@gmail.com to order score & parts

“Not all world premieres are created equal. Hand on heart, for me this was the best I’ve heard so far, and judging by the audience reaction at the close of the piece, everyone seemed to feel the same. It’s always a sign when – lots – of people jump to their feet, pound the floor, and cheer and clap their way through three encores. Incredible." Classikon Ron Ringer (Concerto for Alto Saxophone Where the Mountain World Premiere)

This work draws inspiration from the Illawarra’s Mt. Keira and surrounding landscapes; where the mountain meets the sea. Mt. Keira looms above the city of Wollongong like a watchful guardian, the mountain’s dramatic façade was an ever-present backdrop to my childhood.

Mvt. I Mountain Watching commences with a reverberating call and response between the soloist and the ensemble: an exchange between the watched and the watcher. The work builds towards a highly virtuosic climax in the solo part. A broad palette of saxophone effects depict the sonic landscape of the mountain.

Mvt. II Mountain Weeping centres on a simple melody which is taken up by the saxophone and further developed in an extended cadenza. The movement culminates in a flowing and nostalgic theme, poured out by the orchestra.

Mvt. III Mountain Dance is a romp in compound time. Vibrant, virtuosic and light-hearted, it is a celebration of life at the foot of the mountain.

This work forms part of an Australia Council for the Arts project to reimagine the possibilities of the concerto format for our times.

Listen Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmVMeHZl8ig&list=RDHmVMeHZl8ig&start_radio=1

“Not all world premieres are created equal. Hand on heart, for me this was the best I’ve heard so far, and judging by the audience reaction at the close of the piece, everyone seemed to feel the same. It’s always a sign when – lots – of people jump to their feet, pound the floor, and cheer and clap their way through three encores. Incredible." Classikon Ron Ringer (Concerto for Alto Saxophone Where the Mountain World Premiere) This work draws inspiration from the Illawarra’s Mt. Keira and surrounding landscapes; where the mountain meets the sea . Mt. Keira looms above the city of Wollongong like a watchful guardian, the mountain’s dramatic façade was an ever-present backdrop to my childhood.

Mvt. I Mountain Watching commences with a reverberating call and response between the soloist and the orchestra: an exchange between the watched and the watchers. The work builds towards a highly virtuosic climax in the solo part. A broad palette of saxophone effects depict the sonic landscape of the mountain.

Mvt. II Mountain Weeping centres on a simple melody which is taken up by the saxophone and further developed in an extended cadenza. The movement culminates in a flowing and nostalgic theme, poured out by the string section.

Contact nicrussoniello@gmail.com to order score & parts

Mvt. III Mountain Dance is a romp in compound time. Vibrant, virtuosic and light-hearted, it is a celebration of life at the foot of the mountain.