Rite: ON!

And so it begins ...

A century ago on this day, The Rite of Spring received its infamously riotous premiere in Paris. As a tribute to this milestone in musical history, we present the opening installment of our Rite of Spring video project:

Igor Stravinsky's groundbreaking, timeless composition has compelled us to push ourselves to the hilt and to challenge the parameters of our filmmaking abilities. One of our favorite pieces to perform, the Rite has proven to provide fascinating fodder for a music video (albeit a very lengthy one!): the literal and symbolic connotations of spring and rites of passage -- the resurgence of the earth in all its elemental glory; the poignancy of discovery; the loss of innocence; the heated intensity, even eroticism, of primal urges; the shedding of layers, physical and metaphorical; etc., etc. -- are full of rich cinematic possibility, and we've let our imaginations run wild in an effort to capture the searing vision of this masterwork.

{Future episodes of this 10-part, 35-minute film will be released on YouTube, every other Wednesday throughout the summer. The next episode will air on June 12, 2013.}

Trailer Released for 'Rite of Spring'

We are beyond excited to present the trailer for our latest music film--a reimagining of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring." We'll be releasing the video in segments beginning on May 29th, the 100th anniversary of the first public performance. This project has literally involved blood (Greg's), sweat (both) and tears (the film crew's). So, without further ado...

Announcing Our New Collaboration with Alfred Publications

Introducing four newly released scores for the Anderson & Roe Duos and Duets series! You can purchase these beautifully produced items simply by clicking any image below, visiting Sheet Music Plus, or your favorite sheet music store.

Anderson & Roe, Music Editors?

We've entered the daunting world of music editing. After so many years of frustration with various music editors – "is that a dot or a dash?" "did the composer really write forte here?" – we're not sure what we were thinking, but we've given it our best shot! We're proud to present our edition of the Mozart/Busoni Duettino Concertante. We've filled the score of this deceptively challenging (but awesome) work with numerous tips and tricks to enhance playability, and we even added a jumbo-sized foreward of pertinant historical information.

You can purchase the score by clicking the image below or visiting your favorite sheet music store.

The Reynaldo Hahn

Inspired by the melodious, slightly spicy, and ever-joyous musical works of the French composer (and critic!) Reynaldo Hahn, I crafted this perky drink. Not familiar with Reynaldo Hahn? This quote of his says it all:

Look, the way to live is to bring all the enthusiasm you can muster to everything: studying, talking, eating, everything.

 

The Reynaldo Hahn

• 2 ounces of ginger-infused vodka (see recipe below)
• 1 ounce of lime juice
• Ginger Ale

Add the ginger-infused vodka and lime juice to a highball glass. Top with ginger ale and two cubes of ice. 

Ginger-infused vodka: Add eight ounces of crystilized ginger to a liter of vodka. Steep overnight.

The drink is similar to a Moscow Mule, but a bit sweeter. There isn't much science to the drink. Add more ginger to the infusion if you want more of the ginger kick. If you like things really strong, replace the ginger ale with ginger beer. The ginger-infused vodka goes great in other drinks as well -- try it in a cosmo!

While sipping, enjoy this bubbly movement from Hahn's piano concerto:

waco and appleton reviews

Reviews from our recent tour:

Waco Tribune:

It was one of those nights that remind you of music's magic and the reason why, despite being in the digital age, we still have live performances.

masterful… exquisite… thundering… passionate… creamy tone… infectious...

The Lawrentian:

[Anderson & Roe transformed] the often stultifyingly traditional and reserved medium of the modern classical music concert into an inventive, emotionally-charged auditory and visual experience.

Anderson & Roe are truly a testament to the continuing power and relevance of classical music and live performance.

New video!

First day of filming for our new music video...
Keeping the content a secret for now ;)

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for hints!

viva la vida

To usher in some joy and light during the bleak midwinter, we present a brand new A&R music video, featuring our cover of Coldplay's Viva La Vida! (Special thanks to the awesome folks at Midland College!)

Auld Lang

With New Year's fast approaching (and possibly a new music video!), I thought I'd post my favorite champagne cocktail of all time: the Auld Lang. (I also happen to really love the song.) Make it to ring in the New Year or simply to celebrate an awesome night with friends. I found the recipe in the New York Times a few years back, instantly fell in love with it, and then promptly destroyed my budget. You'll note that I found a way to adapt: I also listed my revised economy version.

ingredients

• 3/4 ounce Aperol
• 3/4 ounce St. Germain
• 3/4 ounce lime juice
• 3/4 ounce rosemary-infused simple syrup (see below)
• 2 ounces dry sparkling wine
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Shake the Aperol, St. Germain, lime juice, and rosemary-infused simple syrup with ice and strain into a champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a sprig or rosemary. Awesomeness.

economy version ingredients ;-)

• 3/4 ounce Aperol (required!)
• 3/4 ounce lime juice
• 1 ounces (add a few drops more if you like things sweet) rosemary-infused Saft Fläder Elderflower Syrup from Ikea (see below)
• 2 ounces dry sparkling wine or club soda
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Shake the Aperol, lime juice, and rosemary-infused Saft Fläder Elderflower Syrup with ice and strain into a champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine or club soda and garnish with a sprig or rosemary. The Ikea syrup is an amazing substitute for St. Germain, though it is sweeter and not *quite* as sophisticated.

rosemary infused syrup recipes 

To make the rosemary simple syrup: combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and 10 sprigs of rosemary (chopped) to a small saucepan and simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool, filter out the rosemary (and toss), and refridgerate the syrup.

To make the rosemary-infused Saft Fläder Elderflower Syrup: combine 1 cup of Saft Fläder Elderflower Syrup and 10 springs of rosemary (chopped) to a small saucepan and simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool, filter out the rosemary (and toss), and refridgerate the syrup.

Note: Use fresh rosemary. Dried rosemary does not work well for this--it makes a bitter, nasty syrup!

The Sibelius Tapiola

For December I wanted to craft a drink inspired by evergreens (the scent of the season!) and the composer who adored them, Sibelius. Tapiola is a famous tone poem by Sibelius; the work depicts--with haunting majesty--the Finnish pine-forests that surrounded Sibelius' home and a spirit that resides within. Regarding the work, Sibelius wrote,

Widespread they stand, the Northland's dusky forests,
Ancient, mysterious, brooding savage dreams;
Within them dwells the Forest's mighty God,
And wood-sprites in the gloom weave magic secrets.

There was no question in my mind: the drink would need some form of whisky as the base. Whisky, because of its woody flavor... and whisky, because Sibelius loved the stuff (perhaps a little too much). Yes, whisky is aged in oak barrels and not pine tree barrels, but it does the trick. The other ingredient of choice: rosemary. In my mind, rosemary is like an edible pine tree and makes almost everything taste better. 

The result, after a bit of trial and error, resembles a Manhattan and is like heaven in a cup. This is a seasonal drink, evocative of snow and pine trees, but it's also a serious drink meant for slow sipping (while listening to the music of Sibelius). It certainly isn't the festive drink one makes to accompany frosting-covered cookies! 

The Sibelius Tapiola

• 2 shots (3 ounces) of rye whisky
• 1 Tablespoon + 1.5 teaspoons of rosemary simple syrup (or .75 ounces)
• 3-4 shakes of Angosturas Bitters

Combine ingredients in a chilled glass. Add a single cube of ice and stir. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

To make the rosemary simple syrup: combine 1 cup of water, 3/4 cup of sugar, and 4-5 sprigs of rosemary (chopped) to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. When the sugar dissolves completely, remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes. Filter out the rosemary (and toss) and refridgerate the syrup.

Notes:

• Use fresh rosemary. Dried rosemary does not work well for this--it makes a bitter, nasty syrup!
• This recipe calls for less sugar than usual. I was trying to balance the sweetness of the syrup with the intensity of the rosemary flavor.
• Save the leftover rosemary simple syrup for the Auld Lang Syne in a few weeks--the most amazing champagne drink ever created!