when words fade

Latest crop of reviews

Here's the latest crop of reviews regarding our latest album "When Words Fade" and our release performance at Galapagos Arts Space in NYC.

Backtrack:

Believe all the hype: Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe—more famously called Anderson and Roe—are electric. At Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn, this piano duo did more than celebrate the launch of their new album; they fashioned an entirely new concert experience.

The Glass:

They are already powerful pianists that become super-charged in each other’s presence, and proceed to give very thoughtful and colorful performances with a passion that separates them from populists.

The Big City Blog:

The Rach­mani­noff was spe­cial, not swoon­ing but with a dry strength, and the exquis­ite cadenza brought them deserved “bravos.” Behind their flair, they are at their best in qui­eter music, pieces that reveal the fine qual­ity of their musi­cian­ship. ...an enthralling per­for­mance of Schumann’s “Mond­nacht,” which I wished would never end.

The Juilliard Journal:

Arresting... fierce... glittering.. affecting... electrifying. Listening to the sweet strains of “Mathilde, Marieke, et Madeleine,” based on songs by Jacques Brel and Gérard Jouannest, feels like slipping into a smoky Parisian cabaret. 

Time Out New York:

A decidedly broad-minded young piano duo.

 

On the Bench: A&R conversation with Lara Downes

We chatted with pianist Lara Downes by Skype a few weeks ago in preparation for our upcoming release party in Brooklyn. (Don't miss it! May 22nd.) The conversation was fun and unique -- since she, herself, is a pianist, it was different than the usual newspaper interview. In any case, she has posted the chat on her blog for all to enjoy.

In Lara's words,

Anderson & Roe is not:
1) A law firm
2) A figure skating pair
3) Married (to each other)
4) Your typical piano duo

And they don't wear "matching dresses." (Glad we got that out of the way!)

Enjoy the interview here!

Huge Announcement: "When Words Fade" Release Party on May 22nd in NYC

Where: Galapagos Arts Space -- 16 Main St, Dumbo, Brooklyn, NYC
When: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
Doors: 7:00 PM
Start: 8:00 PM
Tickets: $20 pre-sale / $35 VIP  
Additional info: 718 222 8500 

May 22nd; Brooklyn, NYC: Be there, be square!! Seriously, if you find yourself nearby (and even if you don't!), check out this momentous Anderson & Roe event; We couldn't be more excited! An inspiring and beautiful space, delicious cocktails, two Steinway grand pianos, intoxicating music, and your's truly = a recipe for an unforgettable evening!

 
Galapagos is proud to present the cutting-edge piano duo Anderson & Roe.

Celebrating the success of their billboard-topping classical album When Words Fade, this one-of-a-kind live concert will include music from across the ages ranging from Vivaldi and Schumann to Stravinsky and Michael Jackson.

Signed to the Steinway & Sons record label, Anderson & Roe have been featured multiple times on NPR including the coveted song of the day for their rendition of Michael Jackson’s "Billie Jean" as well as on Performance Today and All Things Considered.

Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe met in 2000 as freshman at the Juilliard School and formed their amazing partnership soon after. They have toured to sold-out houses across the globe and amazed audiences with the musical diversity and intense live performances. Anderson & Roe strongly believe in the communicative potential of music and they aim to make classical piano music a relevant and powerful force in society.

Arts & Crafts with Anderson & Roe: piano mutes

Arts & Crafts with Anderson & Roe: piano mutes

We've received numerous emails asking about the following:

How do you mute the piano strings in your arrangement of Vivaldi's "Sento in Seno."

Good question! The score (which you can purchase here!) simply states: "All strings played by piano 2 (A-flat below middle C and higher) should be muted by a system of felts and weights." Not very helpful, right? 

But that's the fun of it! We love the "arts & crafts" aspect of our duo, whether it be making videos or muting piano strings, and we hope to foster this spirit of exploration when people purchase our scores. For example, in our four-hand scores, you'll note that we don't provide any choreography instructions. Figuring it out is half the fun! Besides, in the case of pianistic choreography, body types are different, and what works for us won't necessarily work for you. 

Similarly, in the case of muting piano strings, the insides of pianos are very different, and there is no way we could provide instructions to mute all the varying piano models.

That said, we'll show you what we do for Steinway D pianos, and maybe it will help you along. :-) After at least three dates with Lowe's hardware store, here are our mutes (don't miss the other pics -- click on "Click to read more" below):

Coupon codes: enter 15percent to save 15% on score orders of $30 or more and 25percent to save 25% on orders of $50 or more.