Heart's Distance

The pandemic has caused disruption of some sort in everyone’s life. Throughout the summer months, we’ve worked around the clock to put together an ambitious two-day Virtual Extravaganza—streaming live this weekend!—in partnership with Portland Piano International as our response to the current state of the performing arts industry and society at large.

One of the biggest artistic challenges of quarantined existence has been virtual collaborative performance. We’ve encountered substantial obstacles in attempting to recreate the synchronization of an in-person performance; alas, we are isolated across the country from each other.

Latency caused by transmitting audio over the internet can get in the way of achieving coordination in real-time. There are two causes to latency — the time it takes computers to process the audio data and the time it takes data to travel from the source to its destination. There are premium hardware and software-based solutions that can nearly eliminate the processing time, powering nearly real-time performance and recording between musicians located near one another (approximately 70 miles apart or less). But no matter the speed of our equipment or software, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light (thank you Einstein).

For us situated nearly 3,000 miles apart, this results in a 13-16 millisecond delay, which is not a satisfactory solution that would enable a live performance meeting our standards of synchronization. Not to mention, our bodies feel sound, and our timing in music hinges on that feeling. There are so many factors at play when we perform live together and any degree of latency is viscerally tricky to overcome.

So alas, we’re stuck with network traffic and trying to balance fluctuations from multiple locations with varied latencies. Even with the fastest available internet connections, sophisticated equipment, the support of Portland Piano International’s excellent resources, and a listener’s potential tolerance for the inevitable delays, we have been inspired to seek new creative solutions for this issue, all of which will be on display during this weekend’s performances!

Filming and recording at lightning speed, rapid costume changes, and editing on the floor. The show must go on!

We’ve captured the essence of a live Anderson & Roe concert experience by creating a virtual festival that’s chock full of interactivity, variety, and personalization. Everyone involved in this project was suddenly reinvigorated when we were instantly able to feel that heart-to-heart connection during our virtual rehearsal last week. We’ll be sure to share lots of behind-the-scenes details in today’s #TwoPianoTuesday chat on Facebook Live (6PM Eastern).

After months of hard work, we are extremely excited to share these unique, interactive events with you! Purchase your ticket for our two-day concert experience now. Join us on August 15 & 16 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT for the magic of live concerts, with all the spontaneity, risk, and connection we cherish. On the docket:

• The world premieres of five new Anderson & Roe arrangements

• Nearly a dozen brand-new music videos

• Live performances of solo and duo piano music

• A live appearance by the winner of our Maple Leaf Rag youth competition (featured in our playful three-piano music video)

• Gerd Kühr's Corona Meditation performed by over 30 pianists from Portland & beyond

• Piano miniatures of Satie narrated live by Portland-based luminaries

• The opportunity to title our as-of-yet unnamed composition for multiple pianos based on Balakirev's Islamey

• Our mashup up of Rach 2 and "All By Myself"

• Trivia competitions

• Curated commentary

Each ticket grants access to both performances—use the discount code “lizandgreg2020” for 20% off.

Our mission to make classical music a powerful and relevant force in our society is as important as ever. We could not do this work without the love and support from our inspirational families, friends, and fans. We appreciate all of you beyond words and cannot wait to connect with you in person again. Until then, we’ll connect as closely as the speed of light and the physical distance will allow.

See you this weekend! 💗

“Programming.” 🎹🖌

The Cascades

The second of our Portland Piano Virtual Extravaganza events kicks off with our new cover of “The Cascades” from Fleet Foxes, one of the 21st century’s premier indie rock bands. The band was formed in the Pacific Northwest and its culture, environment, and sensibilities play an integral role in the band’s earthy, folk-inflected sound.  

“The Cascades” captivated us from our first listen. The celestial interplay of the melody gave us the feeling of soaring above the trees with the wind rushing upon our faces, and the subtle harmonic changes evoked the image of light and shadow dancing upon distant mountaintops. We hiked the Cascades in 2015, experiencing for ourselves the wild beauty we aim to capture in our two-piano arrangement and simple, hearty, Old Fashioned-inspired cocktail.

Portland’s Freeland Spirits makes their rich, velvety bourbon uniquely Pacific Northwestern by giving it a final rest in Oregon’s Elk Cove Pinot Noir barrels. The wine barrels impart a smoky berry layer to the Bourbon that pairs perfectly with Oregon’s famous marionberries (blackberries are a suitable substitute for those of you elsewhere). Marionberries have a complex, earthy flavor that is both sweet and tart, nicely accenting the caramel and vanilla inherent in Freeland’s exceptional bourbon. Orange bitters and zest add bright citrus notes and draw out a hint of marmalade hidden in the bourbon’s spicy aroma. We invite you to experiment with more/less sugar or soda water to find the perfect Cascadian cocktail for you.

The Cascades

(A Marionberry Old Fashioned)

Yield: 1 cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Freeland Spirits Bourbon

• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

• 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters

• 1-2 dashed orange bitters

• 5 fresh marionberries (or substitute with blackberries)

• Ice cubes

• Orange peel strip

• Club soda (optional)

Instructions:

Combine the sugar, bitters, and three marionberries in a cocktail shaker. Muddle the mixture until sugar is dissolved, then add the bourbon and ice cubes. Stir well and strain into an Old-Fashioned glass. Top with soda (if so inclined), add a large ice cube, and garnish with an orange peel and two berries on a skewer… a cocktail umbrella will do in a pinch pandemic.

Cheers!

Everyone is welcome to participate with an alcohol-free, Cascadian creation.

Marionberry Lemonade

Yeild: 1 drink

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup simple syrup*

• 4 marionberries

• Juice of one lemon

• 1 cup water or soda

• 3/4 cup ice

Instructions:

*Simple syrup is even parts sugar and water heated in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water make about a quart of syrup which can be stored in the fridge and used for several lemonades.

Muddle three marionberries in a cocktail shaker, then add the lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice cubes. Stir well and strain into an appropriate glass. Top with water or soda, add a large ice cube, and garnish with an orange peel and a berry on a skewer.

The Corona Meditation

Our upcoming Portland Piano Virtual Extravaganza program will feature Corona Mediation, a new work written in April 2020 by Austrian composer Gerd Kühr in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expansive and reflective, the piece provides a compelling musical commentary on the time we’ve all spent in quarantine together, yet isolated apart. Blossoming forth then collapsing, brilliantly clear then seemingly disordered, Kühr’s Corona Meditation creates a quietly cosmic play of opposites and inspires a cocktail redolent of a stroll in a mystical garden.

Wishing to feature local ingredients in our cocktail, we selected a deliciously fragrant gin from Portland’s Freeland Spirits as the perfect base for our meditative cocktail. At once earthy and light, its quintessential herbs and spices are brightened by a crisp citrus pop. We leaned into the gin’s citrus notes by adding fresh lemon and tied the botanical hints together with a delicate floral layer of St. Germaine elderflower liqueur and our divine chamomile syrup. An egg white froth adds an extravagant texture and the perfect finishing touch to our cocktail. When experienced with Gerd Kühr’s Corona Meditation, we’re instantly transported to a garden blooming with sounds, flavors, scents, and textures to delight and soothe the senses and the soul.

We recommend a warm, calming cup of chamomile tea to our friends who wish to participate, but prefer not to consume alcohol. 😌🍵

The Corona Meditation

Yield: 1 cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz Freeland Spirits Gin

• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice

• ½ oz white tea syrup*

• ¼ oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur

• ½ oz egg white, lightly beaten (substitute with aquafaba for a vegan cocktail)

• slice of lemon peel (optional)

Instructions:

*Prepare the white tea syrup by bringing six ounces of water to a boil. Add two bags of your favorite chamomile tea and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and add 3/4 cup of granulated sugar (or 12 ounces sugar by weight) and stir over heat until clear. Bottle and chill your syrup until ready for use.

Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake until very cold, then fine-strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass. Express the oils of a lemon peel over the surface of the drink, discard the peel, sip, and savor in bliss. 🧘🧘‍♀️

P.S. Special thanks to Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Freeland Spirits for the creation of this recipe!

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. 🤩🎹🎉

Lark's Song

On May 7, we celebrated our beloved Johannes Brahms’ 187th birthday quarantine-style, isolated apart cross-country. Enjoy our brand new arrangement of his ethereal “Lark's Song” ("Lerchengesang").

This project came together at the last minute. We knew we wanted to create something special to send our dear friend Michael Hawley (to whom we dedicated the video). Mike has been an ardent supporter of our work from the very start, blessing us with career-boosting opportunities and life-changing introductions, and it was high time we thanked him properly.

We had just arranged the work for our spring concerts, and Brahms’ birthday, our friend Mike, and the desire to pursue our mission all inspired us to try our hands at a quarantine-style “performance.” Filmed and edited in only a few hours, it was considerably less work than our usual music videos, though we had to be crafty to get the synchronization just right.

For those interested, you can find the sheet music here.

The magic and grace present throughout this experience is a testament to our incredible muse. We love you, Mike!

Lark’s Song

Ethereal distant voices,
Heavenly greetings of the larks,
How sweetly you stir
My breast, you delightful voices!

Gently I close my eyes,
And memories pass by
In soft twilights,
Pervaded by the breath of spring.