Charles Russo

Birth date: Jul 1, 1926 Death date: Nov 24, 2012

**There will be a memorial celebration for Charles held at Riverside Church in Manhattan on Sunday March 10th, 2013 from 2p-6p. It will begin with a brief prayer service and stories, followed by food, drinks and we hope some great Read Obituary

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Michelle Coletta Kissane

616w ago

Charlie - I just learned from a friend that you have passed over...I didn't realize it had been over a year since we had last spoken. Thank you for being the Grandpa I always needed. Thank you for your brutal honesty when I sounded bad and your smiles when I made music. Thank you for teaching me and getting me that awesome scholarship at Hartt for 7 years...you were the reason my family was able to afford sending me to college for music, and my sister Christine as well. Thank you for helping me audition and play with you at the Waterloo Music Festival, the Festival at Sandpoint Idaho, and your very own Le Mont chamber festival, and introducing me to the professional world and wonderful musicians. Thank you for being the most precious musical mentor I ever had, the long conversations, the stories. It was not about playing the clarinet - it was about making music. You were honest, you could walk the talk, and you would 'walk the plank' for your students when something went down that wasn't right. You were an amazing mentor and ever since I graduated Hartt in 1996 you stayed in touch with me, and I always knew you were there for me in a special way, like a Dad that listens and gives advice. I am happy to see that you had this special relationship with so many that have written here as well - this shows your dedication and love for people. You were unique. You are greatly missed. Thank you Charlie Russo. Funny memmory: at Sandpoint Music Festival, we saw Charlie take a french fry off a strangers tray in line at the cafeteria...when he sat down with us and we all smiled and told him what we saw, he just shrugged and said, 'that's the French Fry rule. You've never heard of the French Fry rule?" I'm sure many friends/family here have similar stories of you...how did you get away with that? :) You had a unique charm that I believe was charismatic and made people around you feel special and a part of something grand. You were 'old school' in the best way possible, and made me feel a connection to other great artists of the past, many that you were friends with. You subbed for Benny Goodman. You studied Three Pieces with Stravinsky. I saw you perform Jitterbug Waltz with BB King. You had the most gorgeous warm tone on the clarinet that I've ever heard. You lived a full life, and left your mark on many people's hearts. Thank you Charlie. Hugs and Prayers to your family.

Anonymous

672w ago

Charlie was my clarinet professor at the Hartt School in 1981. I only wish I'd had him sooner! He later watched my son grow up when I brought him to Hartt for cello lessons, then at MSM. I'll always remember him straightening Ben's tie during intermission and telling orchestra/conductor stories. He was so sweet!##imported-begin##Karin Larsen##imported-end##

Anonymous

675w ago

I was saddened to hear of Charlie's passing and have fond memories of him. Please let me know when a memorial service will be scheduled. My sympathy to his family, especially Ken, an old colleague and friend at Carnegie-Mellon University.##imported-begin##Lisa Kozenko##imported-end##

Anonymous

675w ago

Charlie was my chamber music coach at The Hartt School about fifteen years ago. He expected a lot and could be tough during the class, but he always gave us a smile and encouragement at the end. I learned a great deal and am grateful to have had the chance to learn from such a wonderful artist.##imported-begin##Leigh Stuart##imported-end##

Anonymous

675w ago

As a bassoon player, the few times I worked with Charlie was always a rare pleasure, both musically & personally. The music world has lost an outstanding musician & great guy.##imported-begin##Marvin Roth##imported-end##

Anonymous

676w ago

I left a message earlier today but want to add that I'd like to be contacted with future notices of events held in Charlie's memory. Thanks so much.Shirl##imported-begin##Shirley McPhillips##imported-end##

Anonymous

676w ago

I met Charles last year at a poetry reading I participated in. Afterwards, he came up, complimented me, and asked for a copy of my poem. Said he wanted to "branch out" in his interests and thought poetry might be a field he would enjoy. He wanted to become more proficient at "understanding it better." I asked him what his "field" was. He said, "The clarinet." Little did I know.

We chatted. As I handed him the copy of the poem he said, with a twinkle, "I hope this comes with dinner." It did. Charles and I had quite a few dinners. I enjoyed his company immeasurably. His wonderful wit, his deep passion for music and also political issues and views that we both, thankfully, shared.

He gave me a few CDs of his music. I had never understood what a clarinet could do until I listened to his work. He would sometimes say, in relation to how some people were taught or how they played, "They wouldn't know a phrase if ...." And then he would demonstrate how a phrase should sound. Well, his phrases were as magical as talent and dedication and heart could make.

I was also moved by the stories he told of his early growing up in PA, his family and teachers whom he admired so much. His mother who understood when he skipped school to go to "the city" to hear a specific musician. On and on.

I will miss my dinners with Mr. Russo. Charlie. My thoughts of him are still fresh. I wish I could have known him much earlier in life.

I hope that someone will let me know about future events/services for Mr. Russo. I truly admired him and will miss him.

Shirl##imported-begin##Shirley McPhillips##imported-end##

Anonymous

676w ago

I am deeply sorry to read of Charlie's passing. I shared many performances with him with the NY Chamber Soloists, as well as at the Bennington Composers' Conference. I still have vivid memories of his sharing jam sessions with the jazz pianist-composer, Hall Overton, and others well into the night at Bennington College. Charlie's personal generosity, sense of humor, as well as his wonderful playing and artistry will be very much missed.
Joel Krosnick
Juilliard String Quartet##imported-begin##joel krosnick##imported-end##

Anonymous

677w ago

I never meet Chuck in person although I talk with him several times on the phone about the family history. I found him to be very nice, we talked for quite a while about the history of the family. We spent a little time talking about his childhood, his time in the army and his music. I wish that I could have heard him Play. ##imported-begin##Randy Werner##imported-end##

Anonymous

677w ago

My condolences to Chucks Family. I never meet Chuck in person although I talked to him on the phone several times about the Russo family history, we also talked about his childhood, his time in the army, and his music. I wish that I could have heard him play##imported-begin##Randy Werner##imported-end##

Michelle Coletta Kissane

616w ago

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