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

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.

Tuxedos by Steinway & Vodka by Chopin

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...)

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 cap 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 ?)

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

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. ;-)