Questions from Daniel Baker

Dear Greg and Liz,
What would you say is your mission, exactly? You're both excellent pianists who try to break the mold and expose wider audiences to classical music, but I'd like to hear it in your words. And, on another, fairly unrelated subject, what do you know of the Liszt two piano versions of the operatic fantasies? I think that the antiphonal possibilities are gorgeously exploited in Norma, for example. Thanks
- Daniel Baker

Dear Daniel,

We defined our mission several years ago, and it has literally shaped all of our decisions as individuals, as musicians, and as a team. So, bombs away:

Greg & Liz's mission:

• To connect with others; to engage, provoke, illuminate; to serve as a conduit for the composer's voice; to 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

As for Reminiscences de Norma, we urge you to purchase Greg's solo album, "On Wings of Song!" You'll find Greg playing the solo version there, and he continues to perform the work on many of his solo concerts. It would be unnecessarily confusing for him to learn both versions of the piece: a recipe for disaster. (It would be pretty embarrassing to slip into the two-piano version in the middle of a solo recital!) Similarly, although we used to play Ravel's La Valse in its two-piano version, we took it out of our performing repertoire when Liz started playing the solo version in concerts and competitions. Too confusing.

You're right; the antiphonal possibilities are wonderful in the two-piano version of Reminiscences de Norma, but (and a big "but" here), if we were to ever perform the work, Greg would insist upon recreating the six-or-so minutes of music that Liszt cut from the solo version in arranging the work. Liszt cut Greg's favorite arias (and the arias that add the most dramatic weight to the paraphrase, no less)!

Thanks for your interest in our work!

(#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!

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!

Juilliard asked us to perform in a special Carnegie Hall-sponsored concert in honor of the school's centennial year. The event, which took place at Zankel Hall on December 9, 2005, was entitled Juilliard Young Artists and Their Mentors. We, along with other selected Juilliard instrumentalists, were the so-called "young artists," and pianists Joseph Kalichstein and Brian Zeger were the feted "mentors." Because of this concert, we were given the wonderful opportunity to work closely with Mr. Kalichstein on the Brahms Sonata for Two Pianos in F minor, Op. 34b (more universally recognized as the Piano Quintet). In the end, our interpretation of this magnificent albeit notoriously difficult work was a fusion of Mr. Kalichstein's invaluable expertise and our own fiercely personal vision.

Many memories of this rewarding experience linger to this day: our musical collaboration with Mr. Kalichstein, an artist and person of the utmost class, wit, finesse, and generosity; our rigorous and sometimes emotionally-wrought rehearsals; falling in love with the duo version of Brahms's immortal Piano Quintet; playing the first movement (almost) exactly as we had hoped; enjoying the terrific acoustics of Zankel Hall while onstage; soaking in the rousing standing ovation from the full house; witnessing the smiling faces of family, friends, and fans. We were lucky to take part in this -- and so many other -- Juilliard Centennial celebrations during the 2005-2006 season. Happy 100th birthday to our beloved alma mater!

EJR, 27 Feb 2007

Just to add to what Liz stated -

Enter the backstage entrance to Carnegie Hall as a performing artist for the first time was a dream-come-true. Walking on stage was even better! I was overcome by the venue's sense of legacy and importance. The building has an amazing energy about it that certainly added to our performance. Thanks Juilliard for such an incredible experience!

GA

Community Service Recitals in NYC (2004-05)

Through Juilliard’s Community Service Fellowship
program, we have had the chance to spread our
love of music throughout the community. This
past semester, we have had numerous
eye-opening and gratifying encounters with
people in nursing homes, hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, and homeless shelters. To witness the bright
smiles on the faces of patients with AIDS and cancer was moving beyond description. We played—and sang!—our hearts out, and they responded with tremendous enthusiasm.

Certain moments will be forever etched in our memories: the crowd at the Housing Works Day Treatment facility belting out and clapping along with unassailable gusto to our rendition of Beatles songs; the residents at the Jewish Guild for the Blind pronouncing our performance to be the best concert they’ve ever had; the endearing children at the New York Foundling Skilled Nursing Facility (including the unforgettable Wilbur [a.k.a.“Superpower”], Chi-chi, Jerome, and Josh) laughing and singing along to our Christmas carols, Disney favorites, and improvisational stories; and countless more wonderful experiences. Whether we displayed impressive feats on the keyboard with our “Blue Danube Fantasy” or sang simple duets of old-fashioned tunes, our audiences gave us the gift of pure enjoyment. Each interaction reminded us how empowering and uplifting music can be when it is shared.

Recitals in Port Jefferson, Sarasota, and Southampton (April 2005)

We admit it! The best part of a musical life (other
than the music itself) is the simple fact that it
introduces you to awesome people and places.

Last April we shared with those we love:

• great food
• relaxing beaches
• a night of meringue
• mind-blowing sunsets
• evenings of song
• last-minute ironing &
• dangerously lengthy guffaws

The concerts had their moments too, such as when:

• the dressing room was locked
• Greg left the music backstage
• Liz called for spontaneous improvisational games
• we tangled our arms mid-performance (3x!)
• the audience stood during the piece to see what on earth we were doing
• we premiered our new Bach transcription in Sarasota
• the Saint-Saens went really, really well

All in all, we shared great music in great places with great people!