Nick Russionello - Air Mass

Nick Russoniello is a highly accomplished and dynamic saxophonist, composer, ensemble leader and educator. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Conservatorio di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” di Milano, Nick has appeared as a soloist or guest musician with many of Australia’s premier arts organisations including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian World Orchestra, the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra, The Metropolitan Orchestra and the Acacia Quartet. He has been the recipient of major awards including the ABC Symphony Australian Young Performer of the Year Award, Fine Music Kruger Scholarship and a finalist for the Australian Freedman Fellowship.

Nick’s projects and ensembles (Duo Histoire, Golden Age Project and his One Man Band live looping show) are highly acclaimed, with appearances for the Sydney Festival, the Royal College of Music (London), Musica Viva Australia, ABC Classic FM, Conservatorio di Milano (Italy), Strasbourg Cité De La Musique (France), The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestras and Australian Digital Concert Hall.

Nick is renowned for his high-impact compositions and his engaging presentation style. He regularly gives composition and creativity classes at leading schools and major universities including the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales. Nick’s original music seeks to bridge the space between audience and performer. In 2023 he completed a Creative Australia project that fused the saxophone concerto medium with elements of contemporary performance art and audience generated soundscapes. These new works were presented by Orange Chamber Music Festival, Queensland Chamber Orchestra, The Metropolitan Orchestra and Steel City Strings. In 2024, supported by Create NSW, Nick will be premiering and touring his new work Air Mass, an immersive composition for saxophone and live electronics.

Nick holds a doctorate from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, is a Yamaha Australia Artist, D’Addario Woodwind Artist and a Represented Artist with the Australian Music centre.

In Review:

“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)

"There are two markers of a Nick Russoniello world premiere: an overwhelming sense of fun; and a unique hook to shatter the glass between the musicians and the audience... Russoniello’s performance was riveting in its passion and skill on this occasion. He’s an exceptional performer and soloist – you almost have to laugh in astonishment at some of what he delivers, and it’s gripping when he joins forces with an orchestra."

Limelight Magazine
Maddy Briggs (Concerto for Alto Saxophone Where the Mountain World Premiere)