(#3 of 3) Imagine: You're outside and the moon is out

After reading Liz's thorough blog recollecting all the humorous incidents from our last video shoot (see the video posted below), I'm not sure what I could add, but I'll give it a shot.

I'm proud of Liz. She purchased a "Hello Kitty" lunch box, pretty pink bows, and the tackiest dress you-ever-did-see with admirable courage, but she deserves an apology from me. Liz, I'm sorry I didn't help. I'm sorry I stood five feet from the cash register, pointed my finger and laughed hysterically.

Of course, Liz found herself in even more compromising situations. She spent a good 20 minutes dashing about the New Haven train station while flailing her arms and shouting, "Seriously, this is not a chain letter! It really works!" "Seriously" people, does it really work? Have any of you actually seen your crush's name appear on the screen after pasting the message into three comments?

One of my favorite scenes was the one in which Liz sat at a piano and sweetly instructed Rubinstein to put more feeling in his fingers. There was something about being there in the same room that nearly made me wet my pants. Finding myself completely unable to withhold my laughter, I silently began to pant and wheeze my way into the back room. (I didn't want to disturb her concentration or ruin the shoot!) Unfortunately, en route, Liz started to demonstrate what it meant to "play with one's fingers," playing the Moonlight sonata as if she had never seen a piano before. It was the final straw; I completely exploded. This is only one of several such examples.

A rather embarrassing situation of my own: portraying a split personality (an extremely flamboyant homosexual and a curse-laden scumbucket) in front of streams of passersby. Thankfully, we were in New York City, and very few people seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary.

Alas! The things we do for our art.

I’m going to go tend to my battle wounds - that bench in Riverside park really left a scar!

(#2 of 3) Imagine: You're outside and the moon is out.

Hello, everyone! It's Liz here to report on some of the more laughable moments we encountered while producing this video. (WATCH the video in the post below).

This video was by far the wackiest to create. We conjured up a variety of costumes, hairstyles, accents, accessories, and locations just to add some "color" to the comments. (In hindsight, most of the comments were incredible enough to stand on their own!) Knowing that this video might be regarded as controversial, we had no pretensions of portraying anyone specific; the characterizations were meant to be broad and even caricature-like in order to emphasize the over-the-top nature of the commentary.

This isn't to say that we didn't suffer for our art, however: for example, Greg actually injured himself badly during a scene (his unscripted fall is actually included in the video, if you watch closely enough!), and I had to endure stares from the constantly-streaming crowds and busy traffic at Columbus Circle as I vapidly vamped for the camera. Greg and I inserted lots of amusing and import-laden details which you may have already noticed: a wind-up Beethoven toy that plays the "Moonlight" Sonata, my own tattered Beethoven scores, a "Hello Kitty" lunchbox, a T-shirt featuring the periodic table of elements, a copy of the Village Voice tucked under my arm, our "simultaneous" appearance onscreen and on the computer screen (incidentally, the background music is a composite of our own renditions), a purposeful allusion to Peter Jackson's brilliant Lord of the Rings, and much more...

Although the comments themselves were directly quoted—with grammatical errors intact—we often ad-libbed to get ourselves into character. My personal faves to play were the Minnesotan couple (check out a selection of improv bloopers at the end of the video) and the business woman (I admit, it was liberating to escape my mild-mannered disposition and act short-tempered for once!). And of course, we had the best time making fun of the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo in a particular scene.

Was all this nonsense worth it? Well, if viewers like you get a kick out of it, then we're satisfied!

(#1 of 3) Imagine: You're outside and the moon is out.

This summer, we spent three weeks preparing to record our upcoming CD. This was all quite serious and intense, so we decided to spice things up and film a new music video. There was never a dull moment--in general, when the two of us start throwing ideas around, mischief inevitably ensues. We threw caution--and our dignity--to the wind, and we had great fun spoofing the YouTube culture that we've grown to love. (Watch the video below!)

The music: The "Moonlight" Sonata, Op. 27, No. 2, by Ludwig van Beethoven

The location: Yale University, Greg's apartment, Liz's apartment, the New Haven train station, and NYC (112th and Broadway, Riverside Park, Columbus Circle, 110th and Broadway subway stop)

Greg in grey, Liz in black:

There is a new brand of music critic thriving in today's technological world, out in full force on the millions of comment boards littering the Internet. These informative sages are changing the way we listen to music with their critical observations of some of the world's best pianists. In this video, Liz and I dramatized actual comments posted on the YouTube website by just a few of these critics, offering their valuable advice to legendary pianists such as Artur Rubinstein, Vladimir Horowitz, Alfred Brendel, and Wilhelm Kempff. (Yes, a YouTube user did tell Rubinstein that he should play slower ... I mean, I'm sure Rubinstein cares ... we can just see him sitting at his computer taking notes ...)

Now don't take us wrong. We think user interaction is fantastic (see our website if you don't believe us). We just happen to find many of the comments on the YouTube website really, really funny, and at times, completely inappropriate.

Of course, it wouldn't hurt if more people would to listen to others (and interact with others) with an open mind. All performers bring something unique to the table. Is it not possible to lack judgment, postpone criticism, and simply enjoy the wonderful differences in interpretation? Listen for what you love, not what you hate.

That said, here's the video:



P.S. The video originally began with a mockery of my solo videos (my Ligeti and Bach videos) in which I rather dramatically instructed the viewer to "Imagine: You're outside and the moon is out." It was really funny (and pretty embarrassing), but only to people who had seen my other videos. Along with a number of other scenes, it ultimately got the chop.

Teaser

Hello, readers! We're back after a blogging hiatus. We're also finally back in the same place after a substantial period of separation (let's just say that various family members were happy to spend some quality time with their elusive kin!). We have been busy practicing (and like the rest of the world, keeping up with Harry Potter--more on that later) and we are excited to give you a preview of our plans for the summer.

First, a recording is in the works. The CD will be self-produced and will feature our trademark Anderson/Roe transcriptions and compositions as well as Stravinsky's mammoth Rite of Spring. It's an ambitious project, to be sure, but we're up to the challenge! Rehearsals have been rigorous, fun, and generously air-conditioned.

Besides that, another music video is in progress, and this one is likely to top the others in craziness. Curious? We promise not to disappoint. ;-)

(#3 of 3) Making the Video, the Anderson & Roe way

In the middle of December 2006, we devoted three frenzied days to the process of filming our own music videos. There was never a dull moment—in general, when the two of us start throwing ideas around, mischief inevitably ensues. We threw caution—and our dignity—to the wind, and we had great fun pushing the boundaries!

Equipped with Liz's mom’s modest camcorder, various “costumes,” no budget, and a few awesome friends as extras/cameramen/bemused spectators, we set to work on our first video. (Watch it below!)

The music: A New Account of the Blue Danube Waltzes

The location: Yale University

Greg in grey, Liz in black:

Filming this video proved to be difficult on multiple levels. While we managed to film the other two videos in a matter of a couple hours, the variety of venues, the difficulty of the piece, and the continual suppression of laughter necessitated three days of filming to capture the footage we wanted.

The piece itself is unbelievably difficult to play. Believe it or not, it's even harder than it looks. In its totality the piece is exhausting to perform, but even filming sections repeatedly tested every ounce of endurance and focus we had! Yes, we only have ourselves to blame.

…sigh...

An unexpected difficulty, for me especially, was acting and playing at the same time. I need to look at the keys if I have any hope of playing the right notes! How can one be expected to gaze rapturously into Liz's eyes while assailing the piano with virtuosic aplomb? Hmmm? Needless to say, those within ear range of our video shoots were privy to what easily could have been confused with a cow giving birth.

Difficulties were indeed the hallmark characteristic of the filming process, but for me the element of absurdity was (yet again) the most salient trait of this experience. But don't get me wrong: we fully embraced the embarrassing situations we put ourselves in and had a grand time enacting a shamelessly sentimental romance within an idyllic setting. I can't tell you how many times the takes were ruined by fits of laughter (mine, mostly). My loopiness was balanced by Greg's typical state of single-minded concentration, but his focus too was leavened by interludes of giddy hilarity. I'd like to blame our nonsensical behavior on fatigue and stress, but all excuses aside, the truth is that we both have tendencies toward inordinate silliness, especially when we are around each other! Whether or not this is a good thing, we always manage to get our mission accomplished, and laughter is good for you.

The filming of this particular video also left me with heightened respect for actors because it certainly is strange to portray stories and situations that contradict reality. The most awkward moment of all: "the kiss." We're close in real life, but not that close! We had to artfully devise ways to make the scene work because we certainly weren't willing to completely sacrifice our wonderful, platonic relationship for the sake of "art."

(Still, I might have a future as a thespian after all; as the outtake reel shows, random people on the street seemed to believe that I really dropped my glove by accident!)

Hi! It's Greg again. I just thought I'd add another difficulty to the list: editing the video. Mac's iMovie is a fantastic program, but I don't think it was designed to make elaborate Anderson & Roe music videos. The video clip viewer is intended for maybe a dozen video clips, and not the thousands (perhaps hundreds of thousands!) of video clips that made up our latest video. Every time I wanted to find a particular clip ("I know it's here somewhere!!"), I spend upwards of six to seven minutes sorting through clips of us dancing, playing, acting, and mostly, messing up…

On a less facetious note, Greg and I hope that the video and the music generate the same kind of dizzying, whimsical, glorious enjoyment that the waltz evokes.

Enjoy the beautiful spring weather!



Click here to watch the outtakes!

(#2 of 3) Making the Video, the Anderson & Roe way

In the middle of December 2006, we devoted three frenzied days to the process of filming our own music videos. There was never a dull moment—in general, when the two of us start throwing ideas around, mischief inevitably ensues. We threw caution—and our dignity—to the wind, and we had great fun pushing the boundaries!

Equipped with Liz's mom’s modest camcorder, various “costumes,” no budget, and a few awesome friends as extras/cameramen/bemused spectators, we set to work on our second video. (Watch it below!)

The music: the "Pas de deux" from Samuel Barber's Souvenirs

The location: Timothy Dwight common room, Yale University (New Haven, CT)

The scenario: We wanted to include a sophisticated piece in our Anderson & Roe four-hand music video trilogy, and we easily settled on one of our favorites: Samuel Barber's "Pas de deux." Barber wrote the piece with a certain nostalgia toward the dance forms of the early 1900s, and we strove to evoke the same respect and reverence in our video. Hence, Liz's retro dress and my tightly combed hair.

The process: Filming the video, we found ourselves longing for the quiet world we had created for ourselves. This experience reminded us of an age before the invention of the television when it was commonplace to find people actively collaborating in the creation of music (for that matter, Liz and I usually choose practicing together over watching TV). Such a simple joy – two people coming together to create something beautiful and true – can be incredibly rewarding, and it's no wonder Barber's wistfulness soon crept into our own psyche as well.

The outtakes: :-) ...we formed our vision of these outtakes while editing the videos. There weren't too many funny moments documented on camera, but after spending hours watching ourselves conjure up some awfully intense facial expressions, we were inspired to try something a little different. Yes, the outtakes (just about) cross the line, but that's what happens when the two of us spend too much time together!


Anderson & Roe perform Barber's "Pas de deux."

Click here to watch the outtakes!

(#1 of 3) Making the Video, the Anderson & Roe way (we know we’re hammy…and yes, one of us is a vegetarian)

In the middle of December 2006, we devoted three frenzied days to the process of filming our own music videos. There was never a dull moment—in general, when the two of us start throwing ideas around, mischief inevitably ensues. We threw caution—and our dignity—to the wind, and we had great fun pushing the boundaries!

Equipped with my mom’s modest camcorder, various “costumes,” no budget, and a few awesome friends as extras/cameramen/bemused spectators, we set to work on our first video. (Watch it below!)

The music: our own arrangement of Astor Piazzolla’s spicy Libertango

The location: Sudler Hall, Yale University (New Haven, CT)

The scenario: This was largely circumscribed by our location. We were fortunate to have a venue at our disposal on a busy weeknight. However, since an Ivy League university lecture hall doesn’t normally conjure up the agitated passion and élan of the tango, we were forced to construct a storyline that would fit the music. The basic plot is that Greg falls asleep during a boring class and then proceeds to fantasize about playing a scorching tango with yours truly. ;-)

The process: Embarrassing moments abounded throughout this experience, and I’m quite mortified that most of them were captured on tape for posterity! (Mortified or not, the outtake reel—which is full of our mistakes and silly comments—is posted on our site for all to see. Enjoy!) The embarrassment usually resulted from us trying to act “sultry.” First of all, I must mention that we are neophytes in the art of acting (though Greg has actually appeared on Broadway!). It was really difficult keeping a straight face after prolonged guises of sexual tension, so we ended up bursting out into uncontrollable laughter take after take. Also, it’s worth noting that Greg has a uniquely penetrating glare when he assumes the role of seducer; it was definitely a challenge to maintain eye contact with such an intense, glazed-over stare while executing virtuosic passagework and remaining in character. Yet even with all these amusing challenges, we had a blast making musical sexytime!

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our brief stint in the realms of acting and filmmaking. And as Oscar Wilde said, “Life is too important to be taken seriously.”

Hope you enjoy the vids!
- EJR


Anderson & Roe perform their own arrangement of Astor Piazzolla's Libertango.

Click here to watch the outtakes!