Portland Piano Virtual Extravaganza!

Back in March, right before the world turned upside down, we were eagerly looking forward to performing in Portland (one of our favorite cities!). The concerts were postponed, as were the remainder of our 2020 live events, and we found ourselves isolated apart, mulling over how we could best continue our mission to make classical music a relevant and powerful force in society. Since the lockdown began, we edited and released new music videos that speak to our time (including our Hallelujah Variations), appeared on various virtual panels, and connected with our fans via our weekly Facebook Live show #TwoPianoTuesdays (Tuesdays at 6pm EDT).

But when Portland Piano International asked us to present two virtual performances this August, we took a deep breath and wondered whether such a thing were possible or even worthwhile, especially when we already have dozens of previously prepared music videos that audiences can watch on their own time. We asked ourselves, “How can we recreate everything we love about live performance, but in a virtual world?” It wouldn’t be worth the trouble without a strong sense of community, the thrill of risk taking, and a profound connection with humanity.

We faced further challenges knowing the two of us couldn’t perform together in person. Typically we’re at each other’s side during our jam-packed touring careers, though we *technically* reside on opposite coasts. Now with changing travel/lockdown situations and Greg's regular exposure to the virus (his husband is an ER doctor working hard on the frontlines), we decided it would be safest to isolate in our respective homes over 2,500 miles apart.

Nevertheless, Portland Piano’s proposal kicked our creativity and inspiration into high gear, and our brainstorming sessions were flooded with exciting new ideas! We’ve spent the past several weeks devising, organizing, and preparing, and we’re finally ready to announce our Virtual Piano Extravaganza, set for August 15 & 16.

We are resolved to make these virtual events feel impactful and relevant to our times, surprising, highly interactive, and lovingly tailored to the city of Portland. Our goal is to capture the in-the-moment essence of live performance and provide a valuable opportunity for music-lovers, both locally and around the world, to connect with each other and the joy of piano music. Featuring multiple world premieres of new compositions and music videos, each concert will invite key participation from members of the Portland Piano community and our global fanbase.

We’ve planned question & answer sessions, trivia competitions (with prizes!), and curated commentary in addition to nearly a dozen new music videos, five new Anderson & Roe arrangements, and live performances of solo and duo music. Look forward to a cosmic performance of Gerd Kühr’s “Corona Meditation” featuring dozens of local Portland pianists, our new multi-piano fantasy based on Balakirev’s Islamey (you can help us pick the title!), the winner of our youth competition featured in a wild and funky three-piano music video, piano works of Satie’s narrated by Portland thespians and luminaries, debriefs with Performance Today’s Fred Child, and much more.

But these events need YOU! See how you can participate in the festivities and learn more about the programs here. It’ll be a classical piano experience like you’ve never seen before. We can’t wait to see you there!

UPDATE: Use our discount code “lizandgreg2020” for 20% off your tickets. 🤩🎹🎉

Banff, Canada (August, 2004)

Banff was a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively. Nestled way up in the glorious Canadian Rockies, we questioned why “purple mountains of majesty” didn’t make it into any Canadian national song. We hiked Tunnel Mountain on a number of occasions, but don’t raise an eyebrow – it only takes an hour to get to the top. Nevertheless, the view was incredible, especially on the windy cliff or during a sunset. One of the highlights of our trip was definitely the Perseid Meteor Shower. In the dark and clear skies, we saw over 100 shooting stars. And, of course, we had a fantastic time performing for the Canadian crowds.

Pianofest in the Hamptons (June and July, 2004)

Pianofest in the Hamptons has become a staple of our summer for the past three years. Pianofest is an outstanding festival for a number of reasons: there is a tight-knit, family-like atmosphere due to the small number of participants; we have the opportunity to study with several superb musicians; and we spend most of our down-time at the gorgeous beaches. If there is anything we have contributed to the daily life of Pianofest, it has been our infamous “chore boards” – elaborate calendars that designate the cleaning and practice schedules! We will always remember Pianofest for its home cooked meals, marathon Mafia games, enthusiastic audiences, fabulous parties, and countless moments of joyful music making.