Ask Greg & Liz: Miscellaneous

 

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Dear Greg & Liz,

Hello, I did a search on music on You tube and i found blue Danube and Libertango and they were great! Anyway What country are you from and what grade are you both in? Thanks!

- Dolohov

 

Dear Dolohov,

 

Thanks for the kind words! We were both born and raised in the United States (Greg in Minnesota and Liz in Illinois). We both received our Bachelor's and Master's degrees at The Juilliard School (we met on the first day of the freshmen orientation in 2000, and we graduated together in 2006). Greg is presently finishing his final year of class work at Yale University; he's working toward his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance. Liz has been out of school for the past two years; she is presently a member of The Academy -- A Program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute.

 

- Greg & Liz

 

Dear Greg & Liz,

I saw that you were there when Steinway released their new line of concert clothing. After reading about that (and looking at the pictures =D) I was wondering if you knew where those clothes are going to be available?

Austin

 

Dear Austin,

 

As far as we are aware, this beautiful new line of concert clothing (mostly tuxedos) is available for purchase. Visit www.steinway.com for more information!

 

- Greg & Liz

 

Dear Greg & Liz,

First, I must say that I have completely fallen in love with your music! Second, in daring to be different, do the two of you get to choose your wardrobe for performances or is it decided for you? Thanks!

Amanda

 

Dear Amanda,

 

Thanks for your enthusiasm!

 

We usually decide what to wear ourselves. It's something we think about quite a bit because we like to have our wardrobe enhance the music we play. We see it as an integrated part of the performance experience. Finding just the right ensemble of clothing can be tricky, sometimes involving last-minute stops to H&M or Zara's, but it's worth it if it helps set the right tone for the concert.

 

That said, we certainly wouldn't mind working with a stylist some day in the future!

 

- Greg & Liz

 

Dear Greg & Liz,

Have you ever tried a piece like this together? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcV19rylSZc

 

Dear anonymous,

 

It's unlikely that you'll find that in our repertoire any time soon, although it is admittedly very funny! Our performing style and our mission as performers are a bit different from those of Victor Borge. While we enjoy humor and wild pianistic effects, we tend not to introduce either into our music unless it can be used to serve our mission (to demonstrate that classical piano music can serve as a relevant and powerful force in society). For example, when we use humor in our concerts, it is often to comment on contemporary events, as seen in our New Depiction of the Carnival of the Animals or in our latest YouTube video. Likewise, when we find ourselves tangled up at the piano, it is usually due to two reasons: one, to visually represent the dance-like or romantic character of the music, and two, because there is no other way to create the musical effect.

 

We like to find ways to make our concerts entertaining, uplifiting, humorous, provocative, contemporary, and deeply moving. In other words, we like to find ways to represent the full spectrum of the human experience.

 

- Greg & Liz

 

Dear Greg & Liz,

Are you proficient in any other instruments?

Scott Ouellette

 

Dear Scott,

 

Greg began playing both the violin and piano when he was eight. He quit the piano when he was 12 so he could spend more time on the violin, but he cried so much that his teachers and parents quickly realized "that was a bad idea." When he went to Juilliard six years later (as a pianist), he quit the violin. It was never easy deciding between the two, and Greg was known to enter (and win) competitions playing both instruments.

 

Liz began playing violin at age five and turned to piano a few months later. She hasn't turned back ... although she has been known to conduct a little on the side. She has also recently made her performance debut on the harpsichord, celesta, and harmonium.

 

Thanks for asking!

 

- Greg & Liz