Robert Russell (1933 â March 29, 2020) was an American composer, educator, and broadcaster.
Russell was born in 1933 in Hempstead, New York.
He received bachelor's and master's degrees in composition from the Manhattan School of Music. After graduation, he served on the faculty of the City University of New York. He then became a classical music broadcaster on WNYC, hosting the "world" classical music program Hands Across The Sea upon the retirement of WNYC's original music director Herman Neuman.
In 1977 he joined the staff of Wisconsin Public Radio and remained there until his retirement in 1995. He hosted and produced several classical music programs, including Morning Concert, Tonight At 8, and Sunday Afternoon Live from the Elvehjem.
In 1983 he married Barbara Boehm.
He died on March 29, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin.
His compositions were performed worldwide, including premieres at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Some of his music was published by Paul Kapp's General Music Publication Company; some published scores and manuscripts have been archived by NYPL's American Music Center. His suite Places for piano 4-hands, which contains extra-musical inspiration and allusions to several New York City locations, has been kept alive in the repertoire by Jean and Kenneth Wentworth, Weekley & Arganbright and Rodewald & Morebello. His Abstract No. 2, has been kept alive in the brass repertoire through Wuff Ridd's arrangement for trumpet ensemble.