Where Soloists Fear to Tread

an innate necessity

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Anderson) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:18:00 +0000

We receive a hefty number of wonderful emails, both positive and negative, and we thank everyone who takes the time to share their thoughts with us.

I admit, however, to taking offense when our artistic integrity is called into question. Our websites and videos have never been about show-biz, nor are they simply about virtuosity. They were not created as gimmicks or to be clever.

They were born out of an innate necessity.

Our websites, videos, performances, and compositions are an outcome of the spirit and joy inherent in music-making. They are the result of our desire to create real and authentic links with our audiences.

Our videos are not intended to be clever or “rock-style;” they are designed to enhance the meaning of the music performed. The "Pas de deux" video, for example, aims to intensify the intimacy and nostalgia already inherent in the music. Similarly, our video of the New Account of the Blue Danube Waltzes intends to visually dramatize what the music already conveys: as we wrote in our album’s liner notes, “our kaleidoscopic Blue Danube Fantasy takes the elegance of the Viennese waltz as a point of departure and plunges headlong into the passions that undulate beneath the dance's restrained facade.” We created the "Reimagine" trailers to represent, in a few short minutes, the impact and drama of the entire album and to encourage viewers to invest in the full production, just as a movie trailer intends to do.

Our compositions and arrangements are not pianistically challenging merely for the sake of virtuosity. For example, we wrote the hand crossings into our Libertango arrangement to visually communicate an element of danger: the racing heartbeats, the physical friction, and the charged chemistry between a pair of tango dancers. Many of our compositions and arrangements for four-hands are designed to withstand the demands of a 2000-seat concert hall, unlike so many works from the four-hand repertoire more suited for a living room; this also changes the way we approach the compositional process.

We do not select repertoire to be sensational; we select music that speaks to us, music that we love, and music that makes a statement. When asked to replace John Williams as composers for a Juilliard centennial concert, we chose to use the iconic Star Wars music as our source material for a very simple reason: we love the music. We really do. And we found great joy in making this music our own.

Our presence on the Internet is not simply about self-promotion; we maintain a strong presence on the Internet because we feel it is an effective way to share and discuss music with people, especially young people. It is an exceptional tool with the power to galvanize new classical music listeners. The questions and answers on our website, and the polling booth for that matter, are designed to give us an opportunity to communicate directly with our audiences (we hope to relate to our audiences as real people and not some aloof automatons on stage).

Everything we do is a result of our mission:

To connect with others; to engage, provoke, illuminate; to serve as a conduit for the composer’s voice; to authentically express our inner lives; to share the joy and fulfillment that only music can elicit. …to free the world from the constraints of sleep-inducing concerts. …to demonstrate that classical piano music can serve as a relevant and powerful force in society.

All that we do as musicians is geared toward these goals, is inspired by these goals, and is fueled by these goals.

If we were doing it all for gimmickry or attention, we wouldn’t have accomplished nearly as much (in fact, we’d be downright bored), and we’re confident it wouldn’t be nearly as good.

Comparing Butterflies to Parthenon Marbles

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Anderson) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:17:00 +0000

I came across a terrific article written by the always-entertaining Harold Schonberg while working on my book the other day. The piece, “Recitalists who Adhere to ‘Tradition’ in Their Programs May Court Disaster,” appeared the New York Times in 1960, and I’ve pasted an excerpt from it below.

      "No artist who ever lived has been master of all styles. Even a genius like Rachmaninoff sounded rather silly on those rare occasions he played Mozart of Debussy. And yet, year after year, march the divisions of hopefuls with programs that encompass a capsule history of music.
      "Thus we get the spectacle of an ardent young violinist, obviously of a temperament that would tear down the hall in Paganini, scraping away at unaccompanied Bach. Or the converse: a young man who would be only too happy to play unaccompanied Bach to the best of his considerable ability along those lines, but who feels it his duty to play Paganini miserably.
      "Why in the name of artistic suicide do these things so often happen? Simply because tradition, that dried-up and unimaginative old spinster, has so decreed.
      "It is high time that artists realized they should program only the things that they feel they can play, not the things they think they should play. If an artist has a romantic temperament, he should avoid Scarlatti or unaccompanied Bach, and confine himself to Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms. If his allegiance is to the moderns, on with Hindemith, Prokofieff and Schoenberg; out with everything else.
      "But then enters, draped in black, the figure of the wise man. How, he asks in his infinite wisdom, can an artist be judged until he plays Mozart and Beethoven? THEY are the ultimate test, and not until then can the artist be given a pass to the pantheon. So says the wise man.
      "But this argument, though it has been parroted for years, is nonsense, and dangerous non-sense at that. Is it not good enough that an artist does a particular segment of the repertory with flair? Is not a fine Ravel interpretation preferable to a second-rate Beethoven one? Should not an artist be given credit for what he can do, rather than insults for what he does not even attempt to do? What smug superiority it is to set up standards by which a butterfly must be compared to an Elgin marble!"

reimagination, obsession

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:03:00 +0000

The time has come: our debut album "Reimagine" is finally here! We are proud to unveil Trailer #1:

Being immersed in the CD release process has prompted me to think about what drives Greg and me as performers and creators. The other day I was reading The New York Times and I came across this article on Keira Knightley. Something she was quoted as saying struck a chord with me:

“ 'Sorry,' she said. 'But if you’re going to be part of this business, I think you have to be a little bit like this. You have to be a bit obsessed.'”

In my opinion, her comment totally applies to a life in music (or in any of the arts) as well: if you're going to be a musician, you have to be a bit obsessed. Though I generally believe in balance and moderation, there is no denying that the creative process has this unique, ineluctable power to overcome, enthrall and consume me. And this always happens when Greg and I work together.

For instance, last night we stayed up until the wee hours of the morning finishing up the trailer video. As I took care of various CD release matters I couldn't stop glancing over at Greg's computer and laughing gleefully at the creation emerging before our eyes. While marveling at Greg's brilliant movie-making skills, I continuously offered my own two cents (which probably annoyed him!). And when we looked at the clock and noticed that it was the hour when most decent citizens of the world start their day, we were too wired to care; time really does fly when you're having fun!

So yes, we're obsessed with music and with bringing our artistic ideas to life, but really, we're just like two kids who are having such a great time playing that time and worries and limitations just fade into oblivion. EJR

P.S. Greg really does want to write to all of you, but since he's been busy with the videos and other pieces of business, I have been the resident blogger of late. We both hope you enjoy our new album—buy it now at CD Baby!

mmmm, swans (only my sisters will get this...)

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 03:15:00 +0000

Hi, everyone! In anticipation of our Jan. 15 album release, we have posted a new video for you to watch. Behold "The Swan":

As you can see, this differs from most of our other YouTube creations in that it's a pretty straightforward, performance-based video (and we're finally on two dovetailed pianos!). We taped it in August around midnight after one of our "Reimagine" recording sessions. The stage manager at SUNY Purchase, Val Franco, offered to take the camera for a few moving shots, and we took care of the other camera angles, setting up the camcorder at various spots in the recital hall. Another unique quality about this video is that it's dreamier in mood (to match the music's shimmering lyricism). Plus, this video is here to whet your appetite as this piece is included on our CD, so enjoy!

(Just so you know, we've got some more special treats for you coming up, so brace yourselves!) -Liz

new year, new album

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 04:38:00 +0000

Happy New Year! We wish all of you a wonderful year ahead. 2008 has begun with lots of momentum; things are definitely in full swing. Greg and I each have a great deal on our plates, individually and collectively, but as always we welcome these challenges and opportunities with open arms.

Our main priority at this time is the launch of our debut album "Reimagine" -- the official release date is set for January 15, at which point the album will be available for purchase and/or download on CD Baby, Amazon, and iTunes. For an extensive preview of "Reimagine," check out our website: you'll find a Top 10 list, extended program notes, audio clips, and more. For the full 3-D experience, be sure to purchase a hard copy of the CD; in addition to having your hands on the deluxe, beautifully-designed packaging (featuring photos from our spontaneous adventure in the mountains last summer!), you'll also get a bonus DVD containing our infamous YouTube videos.

On a more personal note, we want to dedicate this album to you, our fans. Your energetic support uplifts us each and every day, and we resolve to keep surprising you in the new year!

Cheers to happiness, health and peace in 2008! -Liz

Star Wars revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:16:00 +0000

Wow, nearly a month has gone by since my last blog entry—time flies! While things have been relatively quiet on the duo front, Greg and I want you to know that exciting things are on the horizon, most notably our debut album (which is due to be released in January). In the meantime, check out the latest videos we've posted on YouTube (or watch them below). In these videos you will see Greg and I performing two movements of our Star Wars Fantasy: Four Impressions for Two Pianos. Both performances were taped live in concert.

This performance of "Impression 1" was an encore at Greg's master's degree recital at The Juilliard School in April 2006. Impression 1 is an Art Tatum-esque rag based on the iconic Cantina theme from the original Star Wars film, otherwise known as Episode IV. It is fiendishly difficult (note the constant jumps in the bass and the skittering passagework all over the keyboard) but its spirit is carefree and playful. Fragments of other musical motives are embedded in the texture: if you're astute enough you may notice the Force Theme, Darth Vader's theme, Yoda's theme, and various excerpts of the battle music.

This performance of "Impression 2" was recorded at my master's recital at Juilliard, just a few days after Greg's recital. This movement, in contrast to the first movement, is fluid and free. It is centered on the ubiquitous Force theme.

While composing this work, Greg and I intentionally avoided a direct "translation" of John Williams's score. Instead, we focused on the music's character, atmosphere, and irresistible appeal. I recall watching all six films in succession during spring break that year, stuffing ourselves with pizza and Chinese food. Greg and I marveled over virtuosic light saber duels, argued over the coolness of Luke Skywalker and Hans Solo (Greg prefers Luke whereas I'm a Solo woman, probably because I've always loved the romantic tension between him and Leia, one of my favorite cinematic heroines!), and—of course—we noted which themes excited and moved us. This process of watching the entire series and listening to all the soundtracks was not only a tremendous source of enjoyment and satisfaction (believe me, the arc is really impressive when you take in all the episodes consecutively in two sittings!); it ultimately provided us with a global view of the saga. As we transfered our ideas to paper, we sought to capture the films' epic scope, mythic resonance, and undeniable sense of fun. We hope these pieces—and performances—relay fresh and piquant impressions of the Star Wars universe. Enjoy!

P.S. In light of the recent Thanksgiving holiday, I just want to tell you how grateful Greg and I are to have such devoted and enthusiastic fans. You're the best! -Liz

recording madness

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:09:00 +0000

Hello, readers—I'm back from my blogging break (which elapsed not out of neglect, just sheer busyness!). I hope you're all having a snazzy autumn thus far. I love the vibrant colors and melancholic mood of the fall season, but not the shortening of daylight!

Despite our separate commitments this fall (Greg with his doctoral courses/dissertation work/composing, me with my solo recitals/Ensemble ACJW concerts/teaching), Greg and I have been consistently and painstakingly working on our forthcoming album. Greg and I are going indie-style with this whole recording thing. It's great to have nearly complete autonomy over all elements of the production (the repertoire, editing, design, etc.), but it's also a time-consuming, creatively-challenging process. In any case, it's really fitting that Greg and I are going the independent route with our "debut" CD because we're free-spirited individualists at heart, and we've always been fully involved in all aspects of our professional output, whether it be the website, YouTube videos, programming, or compositions. This recording has given us the opportunity to take artistic chances, and we've had a lot of fun (well, stress-laced fun!) along the way: spending hours on end with our fabulous recording engineer Joe Patrych in his Bronx studio; writing about what this music means to us (while trying to stay within a word limit—a nightmare for me!); filtering through photo after photo of us atop a mountain; sharing design concepts; either being impressed, dismayed, or surprised at what we sound like on record!

The recording process is a highly collaborative one, and it is our hope that this album embodies the nexus of our ideas and ideals, our imaginings and efforts, our intensity and joy. EJR

Photos from "Tuxedos by Steinway & Vodka by Chopin"

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:56:00 +0000

Sorry these pictures took so long to upload! It didn't help that I left my camera at Liz's apartment for the past few weeks.

Recently, we were asked by Steinway to perform release event for members of the press and media, celebrating the company's new line of concert clothes for men. (Read about our experience in an earlier post.) Unfortunately, the pictures taken with my camera didn't turn out so well (and we haven't yet seen the pictures taken by the Steinway photographer), so we'll just have to make due with what we have.

Exhibit A:
Here I am informing the audience of something very important. (Note: Liz's dress ... oh yes, and also notice the mannequin standing at our right, wearing a very fine Steinway tuxedo.)

Exhibit B:
Now Liz is informing the audience of something terribly important.

Exhibit C:
The Anderson & Roe Piano Duo with the director of the event, the wonderful and enthusiastic Elliot Rittenband.

Exhibit D:
An autograph to Greg & Liz by the emcee of the event, Howard Cross's (#87 of the New York Giants). We apologize to Mr. Cross for forgetting his name in our earlier post!

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

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:14:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:22:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:33:00 +0000

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.

Quick Suggestion for Bookmarkers

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 05:52:00 +0000

We've noticed quite a few of you bookmarking our blog. In fact, we're quite flattered that you would consider keeping tabs on us on a regular basis!

For those of you who do, we'd like to offer a quick suggestion: bookmark our news page. Here's the link:

http://www.andersonroe.net/news.php

At the top of the page you'll see our most current updates, such as new responses to user-submitted questions, changes to our schedule, additions to the site (such as new videos), recent reviews, and of course, notifications of our latest blog entries.

Tuxedos by Steinway & Vodka by Chopin

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 05:13:00 +0000

Flanked by flickering shutters, members of the press, and mannequins wearing tuxedos valued at over $7,500, Elizabeth and I gave each other one of those looks ("...just how did we get ourselves into another one of these fabulously outrageous circumstances?") and plunged into our standard four-hand repertoire with our usual unassailable gusto. Steinway & Sons had invited Anderson & Roe to perform as the featured performers at their black tie event, celebrating none other than their new line of concert wear for men. The tuxes looked seriously awesome (next time, I hope they'll consider fitting me in one of those marvels of modern fashion), and Liz and I were happy to help celebrate the event at Steinway Hall.

We played at the end of the party, after the speeches took place, after the models showcased their new attire, and after the crowd had enjoyed plenty of Chopin vodka. Perhaps the timing was to our advantage because everyone was in a good mood; we certainly did our best to make the evening a little merrier.

I'll try to post a picture in the next couple days. You've got to see Liz's dress! She looked so hot!! The strongly-hued silk, the paisley-patterned sequins, the lace-covered slits, ah!!! I wasn't alone in my thinking - the emcee (some amazing football star whose name we've rather embarrassingly forgotten) thought Liz looked hot too. His speech following our performance made several references to "that hot girl over there in blue."

enGROSSEd (I love puns...)

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 03:01:00 +0000

Hey everyone,

It's Liz here, captivated by a US Open match between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. Watching excellent tennis on TV is a nice way to finish off a day of traversing the gnarled, craggy contours of Beethoven's Grosse Fuge. Greg and I performed Beethoven's very own four-hand arrangement at Juilliard's Convocation this afternoon, in honor of Juilliard's recent acquisition of the long-lost manuscript. The manuscript itself is a fascinating document, revealing the frustration—creative and otherwise—of Beethoven as he was penning the four-hand version. As sloppy and illegible as the manuscript is, Beethoven's radical vision and genius burn through.

Regarding the performance, Greg and I did our best to make sense of the abstruseness of the score. Unfortunately we didn't have nearly enough time to rehearse due to all sorts of conflicts (i.e. travels, solo recitals, apartment business, the wedding of one of our best friends, etc., etc.). But excuses are ultimately useless because this is notoriously difficult music, and putting this together would have been challenging regardless! Despite our frantic preparation process and the complications of this version, the performance went quite well and I have to say we ended up loving the piece!

Making the Recording (Part 1 of ?)

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 00:37:00 +0000

A quick update for the curious at heart:

The new Anderson & Roe Piano Duo CD has been recorded. "Phew!"

The recording session facts:
* 2 grueling 10-hour days of non-stop Anderson & Roe adrenalized performance
* 3 Steinway Concert D's (2 New Yorks and 1 Hamburg)
* 2 fantastic engineers - Joe Patrych and his entertaining sidekick, Misha
* 1 responsible and surprisingly helpful stagehand, Val Franco
* Thousands of $$$ (We're still in need of sponsors! Contact andersonroe@yahoo.com to help out.)

In it's completion, the CD release will be doused in everything Anderson & Roe - Anderson & Roe music and arrangements, Anderson & Roe adrenaline, Anderson & Roe-style photos and liner notes, and Anderson & Roe music videos. Join the mailing list to receive notification of its release later this fall!

Teaser

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 06:34:00 +0000

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. ;-)

Southwest Sojourn, Part IV

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:51:00 +0000

"The hills are alive with the sound of music!" (Classic movie, by the way -- Edelweiss breaks my heart every time...)

Greetings from Liz again. One of the best parts of our trip to Utah was our trek up the hills for a makeshift photo shoot. We recruited the assistance of our supremely stellar sidekicks, Gregory and Melody Brown, who happened to be utterly skillful and blessedly patient companions. (We love you guys!)

The plans were simple enough: hike up huge hill by Brown house, get gussied up, take pictures. Plan=simple. Execution=not so simple. The hills we had in mind happened to be unexpectedly inaccessible, and as we trampled -- parched, aimless, sweaty, and burdened with cumbersome garment bags -- through a thorny and tortuous path replete with brambles, deer droppings, and cacti (which pierced Gregory in the foot and myself in the thigh), I grumbled in discontent, "We're crazy." I don't deny that Greg Anderson and I have a history for getting ourselves into absurd situations because of our brilliant (I mean, ridiculous) ideas.

Yet all the huffing and puffing was worth it. Once we reached the apex of the hill, I had to catch my breath for another reason: the views were spectacular, formidable, sublime. The early-evening skies were the clearest cerulean -- not a cloud in sight -- and the bracing winds were fresh and invigorating. Greg and I stripped for the world to see (that's where Melody came in -- she protected my modesty with a sheet) into our formal wear, and then we vamped for Greg's little digital camera, manned by Gregory. Watch out, professional photographers: Greg Brown's got some serious skills. Melody was also instrumental in the process, shouting out observations, adjusting my windblown tresses, and repeatedly telling Greg A to "own" his pose.

The results? A few images are posted on our website, and as for the others, you're just going to have to wait! ;)

Southwest Sojourn, Part III

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:20:00 +0000

A third posting on our Southwest Sojourn, again by yours truly - Greg.

The six-piano concert that Liz mentioned was a unique experience for the two of us. I've composed piles of music for five pianos (The 5 Browns), but I've never actually performed with more than one other piano at the same time. Surprisingly, the six of us fit together remarkably easily, and with only 20 minutes of rehearsal, we were ready to perform Tim Seddon's compact minimalist statement: Sixteen for six pianos. Cool piece! We spent nearly every minute around our joyous colleagues, The Piano Ensemble (Fred Oldenburg, Jeroen van Veen, and Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann), chuckling, laughing, and guffawing.

I'll leave a discussion of our photo shoot in the Rocky Mountains to my dear friend, Liz. :-)

Southwest Sojourn, Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:03:00 +0000

Liz wrote about the first concert, so I'll tackle the second. Titled "Flair & Fury: A new approach to four hands at one piano," this concert attempted to show just what could be done by two pianists at one piano. It sounded like a nice idea in theory, but "man!" did those 75 minutes of music give us a workout. We'll need a daily aerobic routine if we plan to perform the "Flair & Fury" program with any frequency!

Nevertheless, the concert went well, particularly The Rite of Spring. The poor piano didn't know what hit it. (For those who are interested, "Spring Rounds" hit it ... and, well, so did the "Sacrificial Dance").

We worked out some awesome lighting design for the performance with the excellent designer, Z. Z nailed all the cues and continually amazed us with her spot-on portrayal of the music through lighting. For those of you in attendance, what did you think? Did the lighting enhance or detract from the music?

Southwest Sojourn, Part I

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 05:42:00 +0000

It's Liz again, hoping all of you are enjoying the start of the summer. Greg and I are in the outskirts of Salt Lake City, savoring the blindingly blue skies, awe-inspiring vistas, and wonderful hospitality of the Brown family (our best friends). We're winding down after a busy stint at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Festival, where we performed three times: on June 20 we presented the festival's opening concert on two pianos; on June 21 we gave a four-hand/one-piano recital; and on June 23 we were involved in a piece for six pianos (yes, six). All the concerts took place at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in downtown Salt Lake City.

In our first concert, we performed our trademark transcriptions of Danse macabre and Erbarme Dich as well as our new 50-minute composition based on Carnival of the Animals. We especially loved the audience's ebullient response to the Carnival. The audience roared with laughter at all the right places, understood the musical allusions, and clapped after each movement. Consequently Greg and I felt extra-energized to pull out all the stops performance-wise, and we had a ball. When we and our listeners have fun, it feels like a job well done!

Saving the Music, Anderson & Roe Style

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 20:58:00 +0000

It's Liz here, back from my blogging break. Greg and I had a marvelous time yesterday playing for elementary school students in Queens. Just to give a bit of background, I am a teaching artist fellow of The Academy - A Program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute, and as part of this exciting program I teach music at The Abigail Adams School, PS 131Q. For a special end-of-the-year presentation, I decided to bring my trusty companion Greg along, and we performed in two consecutive assemblies for kids in grades K-5. The auditorium was set up with a baby grand piano and the upright from the music room so we had the option of playing some two-piano music in addition to our four-hand fare.

Some especially memorable moments: the students responding to my greeting with a collective chorus of "Good morning, Miss Roe!"; the crowd getting really excited when Assistant Principal Frank Headley announced that Greg and I attended a Harry Potter movie premiere and met the stars; the kids clamoring to guess which animals were being represented in our Carnival of the Animals finale; the effectively rattling sounds of the Danse macabre on the rickety pianos; the eager applause that erupted while we were still playing; the question-and-answer session at the end of each assembly; Mr. Headley's inspiring wrap-up comments on the school's motto of "excellence for everyone." On a personal note, I have had such an enriching and enjoyable experience teaching at this school, and Greg and I always love working with young people. If only as adults we can maintain that level of openness, curiosity and wonder.

Carnival at Yamaha Artist Services

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:12:00 +0000

Hey! It's Greg here. Liz has had a persistent cold (that honey needs to sleep!), and so I agreed to take over to report on our latest concert.

This concert should have been an awesome event, but thanks to a very sore throat, stormy weather, an unnecessarily long concert (3+ hours...), and strange acoustics, it was nothing short of a struggle. To make matters worse, the pianos were not dovetailed. Instead, they were placed tail to tail to fit the strange stage set-up. Usually Liz and I sit a full 10-11 feet apart, but last night we were stationed a massive 20 feet apart of one another. It was like we were screaming to each other across an energy-zapping chasm, and any hopes for intimate, conversational two-piano playing disappeared in the black-hole between us.

Alas!

Nevertheless, we had fun, and we were extremely appreciative to see (and hear) Keats, David, Melody, Casey, Charles, and TJ in the audience!

- Greg

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

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Sat, 26 May 2007 04:30:00 +0000

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!

Cabaret at The Rep

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Fri, 25 May 2007 18:55:00 +0000

It's Greg here, commenting on our latest concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - an awesome cabaret-style event with an awesome audience! We were so fortunate to premiere our new depiction of Saint-Saens' zoological fantasy in a theatrical setting populated with joyous listeners.

Our latest composition is a completely new take on Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals. This is not the Carnival of the Animals you heard in your third grade music class, even though it's based on some of the familiar melodies from the original score (in addition to a whole lot more). The piece attempts to go beyond a simple musical depiction of animals; in fact, it has more to say about humans than anything else...

The premiere went remarkably well, considering the rush to compose and prepare it in time. Yes, there were a few lost notes here and there, but we compensated with our characteristic first-performance adrenaline and spontaneity. I am, nonetheless, quite embarrassed to confess that I completely lost it when Liz began speaking in a pseudo-European accent during the text to "Homo pianisticus!" "Keep a straight face, Greg! Keep a straight face!"

If we learned one thing performing at The Rep in Milwaukee, however, it was this: don't let your audience select and arrange a portion of your program for you. In theory, it was a great idea – it allowed audience members to interact with us and it gave them a say in the shape and content of the program. But in practice, the results can be downright merciless to the performers!

Audience members were given a ballot to fill out during the first half of the concert.

"Please vote for three of the following works. The three or four pieces to receive the highest number of votes will be performed by the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo during the second half of the program."

What did the audience choose? The fastest, most technically challenging pieces on the list! Do we blame them? Of course not! Is it physically possible to follow the first impression from our Star Wars Fantasy with the "Dance of the Earth" from The Rite of Spring and our arrangement of Piazzolla's Libertango? Well, barely!

Regardless, the "Audience Votes" section of our concert kept us on our toes, and we were sure to conclude the concert with an unhurried encore.

If you were in attendance, let us know what you thought!

Swans, swans, and more swans

noreply@blogger.com (Anderson & Roe Piano Duo) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:07:00 +0000

(Greg writes in grey)
(Liz writes in white)

Liz and I are presently en route from LA to NYC reflecting on a lavish albeit brief sojourn at the Hotel Bel-Air, where we performed for a special Juilliard function. What a hotel! You know you are residing in the lap of luxury when your wake-up call includes a detailed description of the day’s weather and a bellman bringing you your choice of coffee or tea on an elegant tray.

We arrived on Saturday afternoon in an uncharacteristically cool Los Angeles. Ironically, we left warmer and more gorgeous weather in New York! However, we had no need to complain because the hotel's sprawling grounds were absolutely breathtaking. The hotel is famous for its idyllic gardens, swan-laden ponds, and old-Hollywood décor. We actually got our first taste of the high life at the airport when we were escorted directly from the gate to our car service (with a driver named Duke, no less!).

Upon arriving at the hotel we were warmly greeted at the hotel as "Mr. Anderson and Ms. Roe" and were referred to as such by the staff for the remainder of our stay. As our rooms were being prepared for us, we decided to grab some lunch at the hotel restaurant, dining alfresco beneath a latticed ceiling of sorts adorned with fuschia flowers. After our meal we were led to our handsomely furnished rooms; among the unique features of our rooms was a private patio with a little fountain in mine and a huge plasma-screen TV in Greg's. Since the pianos hadn't been delivered yet, Greg and I had about an hour to kill, and so we decided to take advantage of the pool (not a bad way to pass the time!). We felt terribly lucky and terribly spoiled as we basked in the sunshine sipping our fresh pink lemonades on towel-covered chaises and wading in the heated waters. The rest of the day consisted of a rehearsal and a super-deluxe three-course dinner. We capped the day off with a late-night viewing of Tristan and Isolde (the movie, not the opera), which we watched on Greg's massive TV.

**A funny tangent: we were having problems with the DVD player - for some reason, the DVD was playing, but nothing was showing up onscreen and no sounds were playing either - so we called the front desk for assistance. For some reason it took nearly an hour for someone to show up, but finally a kindly staff worker appeared. I suppose we left the DVD playing during that hour because when the worker eventually got the machine to work, the image of a nearly naked James Franco and Sophia Myles passionately kissing popped onscreen! We all laughed and Greg tried to temper the embarassment of the situation by remarking, "Um, it's actually an action movie..." And he wasn't referring to that type of action!**

On Sunday we had brunch at the hotel restaurant (it was another sumptuous and time-consuming affair). During the afternoon, we were interviewed by a Chinese television crew about our experiences at Juilliard, and we had a little bit of time to warm up in the ballroom. Incidentally, the stage had to be reset after a wedding reception. This hotel is apparently a popular site of high society weddings, and it's amusing that Greg and I consistently yet pointlessly find ourselves in romantic locales such as this! Finally, the official events started: a cocktail reception preceded an elaborate dinner which was punctuated by eloquent speeches by President Joseph W. Polisi, Dean Ara Guzelimian, and Drama Division director James Houghton. At last, it was time for Greg and I to take the stage. We performed an eclectic program of our signature transcriptions: two movements from our Star Wars Fantasy, the Libertango, Erbarme Dich and Danse macabre. It was a success and the audience - filled with donors, alumni, and friends of Juilliard - responded with great zeal.

Afterward, Greg and I celebrated by pigging out on room service fare (which Greg joyfully chronicles here).

My favorite example of the pampering, mollycoddling treatment we received at the hotel (and our reaction to it)…

Sunday following the concert, Liz and I were still hungry.

(It's hard to eat a full meal immediately prior to performing. Have you ever heard of food coma, that sleepy feeling caused by the expenditure of energy toward the digestion of your meal? It doesn't serve a pianist well mid-Anderson & Roe performance.)

Anyway, we ordered room service. Liz and I had had enough five-star food for one weekend, so Liz ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, I ordered mac and cheese (my favorite), and the two of us ordered a serving of French fries. A half-hour later, a server strolled in with a table-on-wheels beautifully laden with our meals, individual jars of condiments (including butter shaped like swans), a bouquet of fresh flowers, a basket of artisan breads, and a pot of hot tea. It was glorious. The French fries were topped with real truffle shavings and Parmesan cheese; my mac and cheese was unlike any I've had before; and Liz's grilled cheese...well, Liz's grilled cheese had somehow morphed into a plate of assorted goat's cheeses.

She didn't care. The two of us, unkempt in our pajamas, gorged ourselves without any consideration for the civilities of upstanding social etiquette. We downed the truffles and smothered our faces with cheese, all the while squealing with laughter at the over-the-top nature of the situation. Who couldn't help but dissolve into hysterics at the sight of Liz filling her mouth with exotic cheese while at the same time restocking her supply of pommes-frites, all the while engaging in truly inane conversation?

We certainly enjoyed our glamorous escape to LA, but we were indeed happy to return to our more humble if responsibility-loaded lifestyles back on the east coast.