2011 (January to April)

April 9, 2011 
SPRINGTIME AT SMITH

April is a busy month of concerts at Smith College! Tonight @ 7 PM, two of Elizabeth's students, Weici Hu and Corinna Kasiman, will perform with the Smith Orchestra as winners of this year's Concerto Competition. Tomorrow afternoon @ 4 PM, Elizabeth will perform a solo recital featuring epic sonatas by Beethoven and Brahms: http://www.smith.edu/smitharts/event_details.php?id=00571

On April 19 and 26, Elizabeth will collaborate with faculty colleagues Joel Pitchon and Judith Gordon, respectively, in the Noon Hour concert series. Find more info here: http://smith.edu/music/calendar.php?monthof=2011-04-01

All events are free and held at Sweeney Concert Hall.

March 21, 2011
DUO SUCCESS IN THE MIDWEST

Elizabeth and Greg receive a rave review for their recital in the Armstrong Concert Series: Duo Delights Audience.

Check out photos of their gala performance at the 2011 American Cancer Society Discovery Ball here.

March 18, 2011
WOMEN IN MUSIC

Elizabeth is featured in a special report on the role of women in the music world. Read this in-depth article by Paloma Capanna in the current edition of the Rochester City Newspaper.

February 4, 2011
PREVIEW OF TUCSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERTS

Read it here: Roe will bring expansive ethos to TSO concert

January 29, 2011
SCHUMANN IN TUCSON

On four consecutive days next week—February 3, 4, 5, & 6—Elizabeth will appear as guest soloist with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra in their MasterWorks Series in a program featuring the inspired genius of Robert and Clara Schumann. Elizabeth will perform two gems of the Romantic literature: Robert's transcendent Piano Concerto in A minor and Clara's impassioned Piano Trio in G minor. For details on venues, times, tickets, etc., please visit the Tucson Symphony Orchestra website and read the following articles:

Official TSO Press Release

The Explorer: MasterWorks to feature pianist, TSO

Arizona Daily Star: MasterWorks concert celebrates Schumanns

January 23, 2011
CHAMBER MUSIC, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, CONCERTS, CARMEN

Elizabeth's year is off to a brilliant start, courtesy of in-depth chamber music residencies in South Carolina with her fellow Ensemble ACJW alumni Claire Bryant (cello), Owen Dalby (violin), and Carol McGonnell (clarinet). Over ten days, Elizabeth and her colleagues brought music to the communities of Aiken and Camden. They conducted a daylong educational residency at the University of South Carolina Aiken, performed in a variety of venues—assisted living facilities in both cities, Camden's Montessori School and Department of Disabilites, late-night shows at Aiken's Willcox Inn and Camden's Venue on Broad, private house concerts, and a culminating chamber music concert featuring a jazz- and folk-inspired program (Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Cello, Bartok's Contrasts, Poulenc's Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, and Schoenfield's Cafe Music) at the Fine Arts Center in Camden. Additionally, Elizabeth and her friends spent four days at Camden's Continuous Learning Center, working with the students to create their own group anthem. Here is an article about the Aiken residency: http://www.aikenstandard.com/Local/0115-juilliard-residency. All of the activities amounted to a triumphant celebration of collaboration, camaraderie, creativity, and the power of music.

This afternoon Elizabeth will take part in a special memorial concert at the Music Institute of Chicago honoring the life and legacy of Emilio del Rosario, one of her principal teachers and one of the country's most renowned pedagogues. Elizabeth will perform her own arrangement Gershwin's "The Man I Love" as a heartfelt tribute to her former teacher. The concert will be broadcast at a future date on WFMT 98.7, Chicago's Fine Arts station.

On the A&R Duo front, there are some exciting news! First, the website has been completely revamped; check out the new site: www.andersonroe.com. (Take note of the new domain name!) Follow the Duo on Twitter. Also, watch the latest music video, featuring their own virtuosic take on Carmen Fantasy, a short film that is the Duo's most elaborate production to date:

January 12, 2011
WHAT INSPIRES ELIZABETH?

Happy New Year! To usher in 2011, watch this special video by the EG (Entertainment Gathering) Conference, featuring appearances by former presenters, including Elizabeth and her duo partner Greg Anderson. A year ago, they made their second consecutive appearance at this extraordinary event that culls the thinkers, artists, visionaries, and legends of our time. See the video here:

Also, check out Elizabeth and Greg's offering from the EG commemorative book Reflections: http://ark.the-eg.com/programs/reflections/index71.html

2010

December 30, 2010
END-OF-YEAR WRAP-UP

2010 has been an eventful year from start to finish! Here are some highlights:

JANUARY-APRIL: "Rhapsody in Blue" with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra; Anderson & Roe Piano Duo performances and presentations at two leadership symposia: the EG '10 Conference in Monterey, CA, and the Imagine Solutions Conference in Naples, FL; A&R concerts across the Eastern Seaboard; a chamber music residency in South Carolina with fellow ACJW alumni Claire Bryant, Carol McGonnell, and Owen Dalby; a solo faculty recital at Smith College; and the Chopin F minor Piano Concerto with the Seongnam Philharmonic in Korea.

MAY-AUGUST: Anderson & Roe time! "Rite of Spring" performance for a New York Philharmonic event at the Morgan Library, and concerts in Dayton, Sarasota, Vermont, San Francisco, Westport, and upstate New York (the LakeMusic and Cooperstown Chamber Music Festivals). Plus, duo partner Greg gets married, with Elizabeth officiating the California wedding!

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER: Solo and chamber music appearances with Richard O'Neill, Suyoen Kim, and Minje Sung in Seoul ("Rendezvous" Concert at the Seoul Arts Center and opening gala concerts for the Kyunggi Girls High School's new performing arts center); chamber music in NYC with Karen Gomyo, Mira Wang, and Nicholas Cords; and a fruitful semester at Smith College of performing (A&R duo recital, Family Weekend chamber music collaborations with Smith faculty members in music by Mahler and Schnittke, the Schumann Piano Concerto with the Smith College Orchestra) and teaching (two of Elizabeth's students were chosen as winners in the Smith Concerto Competition!).

Speaking of Smith, Elizabeth and Greg filmed their latest video at Sweeney Concert Hall. Here, for your holiday enjoyment, is their rendering of a Michael Jackson classic:

Happy holidays and see you in the New Year!

September 17, 2010
SEOUL AND SMITH

On September 4, Elizabeth performed solo and chamber music—with violinist Suyoen Kim and bassist Minje Sung—to a capacity crowd at the Seoul Arts Center. The trio also appeared on KBS radio and filmed the 500th episode of the KBS TV program "Classic Odyssey" (broadcast date TBA). She was also in Korea to promote the release of her debut solo album "Images Poetiques" (available Stateside on iTunes).

The new academic year has begun at Smith College, and tonight at 8 Elizabeth brings her piano duo partner Greg Anderson to campus to present one of the opening events of the Smith Performing Arts season. Check out the previews for Anderson & Roe's recital at Sweeney Concert Hall: Elizabeth's blog entry and Smith's Campus Camera video profile.

August 16, 2010
AUGUST RUSH

Summer holidays are coming to a close, and a string of concerts lie on the horizon. First up: the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo perform in Long Island, Westport, Canandaigua, and Cooperstown.

Check out these articles previewing Anderson & Roe's appearances at the Canandaigua LakeMusic Festival:

- MPNnow.com
- Democrat and Chronicle
- Canandaigua Magazine
- CITY Newspaper

At the very end of the month Elizabeth returns to Seoul to perform solo and chamber music, and to promote her debut album. Check back for the latest updates!

June 14, 2010
MORE CONCERTS AND LATEST REVIEW

An eventful summer awaits, starting with a busy week for the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo: two concerts in Sarasota, the filming of a new music video, and a recital in Vermont. Visit the following link to read a rave review of their Sarasota appearance: Artist Series piano duo dazzles.

May 23, 2010
RITES OF SPRING

In early May, Elizabeth and duo partner Greg Anderson gave high-octane performances in New York City (Stravinsky's Rite of Spring at the Morgan Library) and Dayton (the culminating concert of the 40-year-old Soirées Musicales series). Elizabeth also attended the 2010 Commencement of Smith College, a festive and poignant end to her first year of teaching at Smith.

The Anderson & Roe Piano Duo have just released a new music video, filmed last spring in the art deco splendor of the Fox Theater in Spokane. Check it out here:

April 14, 2010
CHOPIN IN KOREA

Tomorrow (Thursday, April 15 @ 11 AM) Elizabeth will celebrate Frédéric Chopin's bicentennial in the 2010 Matinée Concert at Seongnam Concert Hall in Seongnam City, Korea. She will perform Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor with the Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra led by Maestro Bong Kim.

For more information, please see this Korea Times announcement or visit the official website of the Seongnam Arts Center.

March 28, 2010
EAR TO EAR PROJECT INTERVIEW

Elizabeth shares some personal thoughts on music with violinist-writer-music critic Claire Blaustein at the Ear to Ear Project, a unique blog linking musicians across genres. Check out this exclusive interview on the Ear to Ear Project site!

March 27, 2010
FACULTY RECITAL TONIGHT AT SMITH COLLEGE

Elizabeth is giving a solo recital tonight at 8 PM at Sweeney Concert Hall in Northampton, MA. For more information, visit the Smith College website.

January 1, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Cheers to a new year, a new decade, a fresh start! For a recap of Elizabeth's 2009, check out her holiday entry in the blog. 2010 promises to be another eventful year. Upcoming engagements include a performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, a return appearance at the EG Conference in Monterey, and another Anderson & Roe collaboration with members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra at the Parlance Chamber Concerts series. For more information on these events, please visit the Schedule page.

2009

December 23, 2009
ESPERANZA UPDATE + SEASON'S GREETINGS!

Elizabeth recently returned from Washington, DC, where she gave a benefit concert for the Esperanza Education Fund. She had a marvelous time and is happy to report that over $10,000 were raised for scholarships to be awarded to promising immigrant students. Read more about the event here: http://www.esperanzafund.org/2009/12/23/at-the-carnegie-with-elizabeth-joy-roe/

Here are photos from the event: http://eventosvippass.com/2009/12/benefit-concert-the-esperanza-education-fund/

Warmest wishes to everyone for a joyous holiday season and a healthy, happy, peaceful New Year!

December 15, 2009
ESPERANZA BENEFIT CONCERT THIS THURSDAY IN DC

Please join Elizabeth in supporting the Esperanza Education Fund's quest for education equality. Read the official press release here.

December 3, 2009
AN HONORABLE CAUSE AND ORGANIZATION

On December 17, Elizabeth will present a benefit concert at the Carnegie Institution in Washington, DC, to raise scholarship funds for a very worthy organization, the Esperanza Education Fund. Read more about this event here.

November 25, 2009
RECORDING PROJECT IN THE WORKS AND UPCOMING ENDEAVORS

Elizabeth has just returned from Germany where she had a recording session for her first commercial solo album release. The album will be released in 2010. Forthcoming details will be posted on this space.

During the first half of December, Elizabeth will perform chamber music and solo music in New York City and Washington, DC. On the educational side, she will co-lead a professional development workshop for The Academy—a Program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and the Weill Music Institute. Additionally, she will wrap up her first semester of teaching at Smith. 

Also, check out this positive review of the November 6 Smith College Rachmaninoff Centennial Celebration concert.

November 4, 2009
THIS WEEK: APPEARANCES AT LINCOLN CENTER AND SMITH COLLEGE

Last night, the Anderson and Roe Piano Duo performed Beethoven's legendarily thorny Grosse Fuge in the composer's own four-hand version at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall; ConcertoNet.com wrote: "the famed duo of Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe played the dynamic two-piano fugue variations, with all the tremolos and martial spirit needed." 

On Friday evening, Elizabeth will join forces with pianist Judith Gordon, her Smith faculty colleague, on the stage of Sweeney Concert Hall at Smith College. They will perform Rachmaninoff's Second Suite for Two Pianos on the first of two evenings dedicated to the centennial of Rachmaninoff's historic visit to Smith. Read more about this special celebration here.

October 31, 2009
HALLOWEEN IN DC

Instead of trick-or-treating, come join Elizabeth at the Kennedy Center for a spectacle of colorful—and yes, frightening—piano music: Anne Midgette at theWashington Post mentions this event on her "Halloween Planner."

October 26, 2009
CELEBRATING MENDELSSOHN'S BICENTENNIAL

Last night Elizabeth commemorated the bicentennial of Mendelssohn's birthyear by performing his beloved Piano Concerto in G minor with the Ars Viva Symphony. John von Rhein, classical music critic at The Chicago Tribune, included this concert in his list of highlights of the opening season for classical music.

The Chicago Classical Review gave an enthusiastic review of the concert, including this commentary on her performance: 

"The most familiar part of the program was Mendelssohn’s First Piano Concerto, as spirited and irresistible a burst of youthful musical vivacity as exists in the repertoire. Elizabeth Joy Roe made her debut with Ars Viva as a teenager a decade ago, and her scintillating rendition of Mendelssohn’s concerto was a highlight of the concert. Roe brought ample bravura to the knuckle-busting outer movements as well as conveying the lyric tenderness, with a musing, Impressionistic quality in the transition to the Andante."

Dorothy Andries at the Pioneer Press also wrote a rave review:

"The afternoon opened with Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1, with Elizabeth Joy Roe as soloist. Roe is a Glenview native, graduate of Glenbrook South High School, who 10 years ago at age 17 played with Ars Viva as the winner of the Steinway Competition. In the ensuing decade she attended The Juilliard School on full scholarship, earning both a bachelor's and master's degree in piano performance. She remained in New York City, concertizing regularly there and throughout the country and is now a Visiting Artist and Professor at Smith College in Massachusetts. 

"Her bravura technique was evident from the first flurry of notes, but she also had a delightful ease at the piano. At one moment she could have been in a fierce piano competition, but then as the mood softened, her manner suggested that she was in a parlor, playing for music-loving friends.

"She watched Heatherington carefully, and their synergy was palpable. He told the audience in advance that this was his favorite piano concerto and he appeared to smile though the whole piece. Roe stretched the tempos in her solo passages, giving a sensitive, heartfelt performance.

"The slender, sparkling gown worn by soloist Elizabeth Joy Roe must be mentioned [...] It was as dazzling as her work at the keyboard."

Elizabeth had a wonderful time performing for the hometown crowd, and she is now gearing up for her solo recital at the Kennedy Center on Halloween.

October 18, 2009
CONCERTS ON THE HORIZON

'Tis the season for concerts! Elizabeth makes orchestral, solo, and collaborative appearances in Chicago, DC, NYC, and Northampton over the next couple weeks. See the schedule for details and links.

In the meantime, check out these two links previewing her upcoming performance with the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra: 

1) A feature article

2) An interview featured on the Ars Viva website, previewing her October 25 concerto performance:

A personal interview with soloist Elizabeth Joy Roe

Elizabeth, when did you start piano lessons and when did you realize that music would be your career? I started lessons when I was six years old, and I fell in love with the piano immediately. I knew by age ten that I wanted to pursue a life in music.

What do you remember most about performing with Ars Viva 10 years ago?Performing with Ars Viva was a definitive experience in my career because it potently contributed to my passion for concerto playing. Plus, the concert took place at a pivotal juncture in my life: right before my high school graduation (in fact, I think it was prom weekend!) and just a few months before I left Chicago to start college at The Juilliard School. It was a beautiful spring evening, and I remember feeling truly inspired and exhilarated onstage, thanks to the orchestra's spectacular musicianship, Maestro Heatherington's marvelous direction at the podium, and Chopin's exquisite music (the Concerto in F minor). I was also very happy to be performing for the hometown crowd! Looking back, this concert was the perfect capstone of my high school years as well as a promising harbinger of things to come.

What is it about the Mendelssohn Concerto that you particularly like? I love the immediacy and variety of moods in this piece. Within only 20 minutes, the music covers a vast territory of emotional states: it alternates between the impetuous and passionate, the poetic and intimate, the playful and joyous. I think these shifts are emblematic of human nature in all its inconstancy! Plus, Mendelssohn possessed such a natural, effortless gift for music, and the concerto's virtuosic piano writing and brilliant interplay between piano and orchestra attest to his compositional verve.

Who is your favorite concert artist? What a difficult question! So many artists from the past and present have influenced me. If I had to choose the performers of today whom I find particularly inspirational, I would say Martha Argerich, Renee Fleming, Valery Gergiev, Gustavo Dudamel, and Yo-Yo Ma. But again, I am merely scraping the surface!

What music do you like to listen to? Classical, of course, but I like to listen to all sorts of music. I am a lifelong fan of The Beatles, and I have an affinity for British bands and artists in general (like Radiohead and Coldplay). In terms of genres, I lean mostly toward alternative/indie rock, but I also listen to pop, jazz, folk, soundtracks, etc. Basically, I love to explore music in all its diversity -- I believe that good music transcends labels!

What do you like to do in your spare time? One of my favorite things to do is to sit in a cafe with a pot of tea and a really good book! In addition to reading, I enjoy traveling, watching movies, exploring museums, savoring nature, writing, drawing, learning languages, going on the occasional karaoke outing, and spending quality time with family and friends. I wish there were more time in the day to pursue all my interests, but to be truthful, eating well and catching up on sleep are the most essential activities!

August 18, 2009
WEBSITE BACK IN COMMISSION

The website is back and running—thank you all for your patience! Since the March update, Elizabeth has been keeping very busy. Here are highlights of the past few months: she played a pivotal role as performer and educator in the successful inaugural run of the Juilliard in Aiken Festival; performed the Barber Concerto with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; concertized with her duo partner Greg in Brookings, Spokane, New York City, Nyack, Milwaukee, Portland, and Washington, DC; released a couple new duo music videos; attended the wedding of one of her best friends in Salt Lake City; and moved to Massachusetts to start a new job at Smith College. An even more eventful fall awaits—stay tuned for (more frequent!) updates on this space and throughout the site.

June 2, 2009
LINKS OF INTEREST:

Portland International Piano Festival

Washington International Piano Festival

Positive review on Twitter: "Pianist Elizabeth Joy Roe electrified the crowd at the 6th 'Juilliard in Aiken' concert this week. Brilliant, articulate, passionate."

Juilliard Journal article (with photo of Elizabeth's recital) about the Juilliard in Aiken Festival

The Juilliard Journal's 2008-2009 "Year in Review" Photo Slideshow: Photo 17

March 9, 2009
JUILLIARD IN AIKEN FESTIVAL

This week, Elizabeth joins the American Brass Quintet, Biava String Quartet, Juilliard Jazz Ensemble, and other members of the Juilliard community for a special residency in Aiken, SC. She will present a solo recital, give a master class to high school students, and perform with the Biava Quartet. Please visit the official Juilliard in Aiken website for more information.

January 29, 2009
CONCERT PREVIEW

Elizabeth performs as soloist with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra on February 7. She will also give a master class on February 6. Here is an article previewing her appearance: http://tinyurl.com/ah3vad

Also, tonight Elizabeth reunites with Ensemble ACJW in Carnegie Hall's Making Music series: she will perform on celesta and keyboard in a program devoted to Hungarian composer and conductor Peter Eötvös. For more information on tonight's event in Zankel Hall, please click here.

2008

December 25, 2008
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

To celebrate the joyous spirit of the holiday season, here is a new Anderson & Roe Piano Duo music video:

December 11-13, 2008
ANDERSON & ROE PIANO DUO FEATURED PRESENTERS AT EG '08

Elizabeth and her piano duo partner Greg Anderson will be featured presenters at EG '08, an entertainment gathering conference in Monterey showcasing the best ideas about entertainment and the imagination.

From the press release: "EG presenters are among the most luminous talents of our time, from rising stars to living national treasures; this is the conference for the most influential and creative minds in the world."

Yo-Yo Ma, Leon Fleisher, and Herbie Hancock were the musical presenters in '06 and '07. See www.the-eg.com for more information or to reserve your seat.

November 21, 2008
LIVE FROM SEOUL, KOREA!

Elizabeth makes her Korean solo recital debut this coming Tuesday, November 25, at the Hoam Art Hall in Seoul. For ticket information and more, please visit the following links: 

Concert details: http://www.hoamarthall.org/Concert/PerfView01.aspx?y=2008&m=11&Se=&SeStr=&Id=1962

Newsletter: http://www.hoamarthall.org/news/elizabeth.htm

Video (with pianist Robert Levin):

N.B. The above links are in Korean.

October 30, 2008
TODAY: ANOTHER NPR BROADCAST

Once again, Elizabeth will be featured on NPR's "Performance Today." In Hour 1 of today's show, catch Elizabeth's performance of The Little Hen by Bedrich Smetana from her 2007 William Petschek Piano Debut Award Recital at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. To find out where and when "Performance Today" is broadcast in your area, please visit performancetoday.org. Otherwise, visit publicradiofan.com, an independent website that can point the way to online listening.

October 24, 2008
EDUCATIONAL PRIZE, WQXR RADIO BROADCAST

Elizabeth has been selected as the 2008 winner of the McGraw-Hill Companies’ Robert Sherman Award for Music Education and Community Outreach. Named in honor of WQXR radio host Robert Sherman, this prestigious award is given to an artist "who is deeply involved in music education and community outreach and who has demonstrated outstanding musicianship."

To honor Elizabeth, tonight's hour-long broadcast of the McGraw-Hill Young Artists Showcase is devoted to a collection of her live performances over the years. On the program: a Haydn sonata, the Wagner-Liszt Isoldens Liebestod, Smetana’s Little Hen, Ravel’s La Valse, and Saint-Saëns’s Danse macabre with pianist Greg Anderson. For more information, visit the website of 96.3 WQXR, the official radio station of the New York Times.

October 17, 2008
AMERICAN PIANISTS ASSOCIATION: PREMIERE SERIES

This week, the American Pianists Association presents Elizabeth in her Premiere Series, the first part of the final round for the 2009 APA Classical Fellowship Awards. This Sunday, October 19, she will perform Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Maestro Kirk Trevor, as well as a solo program at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. During the next week, Elizabeth will be involved in an extensive educational residency at Heritage Christian School. She will also give concerts at six retirement homes throughout the Indianapolis community. Check back for updates on this exciting artistic residency in Indy!

October 9, 2008
CLIBURN CONCERT REVIEW AND INTERVIEW

Read the review of Elizabeth and Greg's concert at the Kimbell Art Musem in Fort Worth: Piano Duo Blends into a Singular Achievement

Also, read a preview article of the concert: Five Questions with Elizabeth Joy Roe of piano duo Anderson & Roe

September 26, 2008
THE ANDERSON & ROE PIANO DUO FILL IN FOR GABRIELA MONTERO

Elizabeth and Greg will replace Gabriela Montero on October 7 at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. For more information, read the official press release.

September 24, 2008
ELIZABETH IS APPOINTED TO THE STEINWAY ARTIST ROSTER

Elizabeth is now officially a Steinway Artist! She is honored to join the distinguished international roster of Steinway Artists. Steinway pianos have played an integral part of her life and they will remain her pianos of choice.

Elizabeth extends her heartfelt condolences to the family of Henry Z. Steinway, who passed away on September 18. His autographed signature graces the inside of Elizabeth's piano, and she was the recipient of the John and Henry Steinway Scholarship at Juilliard. His irreplaceable legacy will live on through the magnificent pianos that carry his name.

September 1, 2008
IN THE NEWS

Elizabeth's speech at The Academy's June 2008 celebration appears in this month's Juilliard Journal. Read it here.

Also, CMCNYC receives a mention on the official website of the Grammys. Read it here.

June 20, 2008
FINAL ACADEMY EVENTS

On Friday, June 13, Elizabeth made her last Ensemble ACJW appearance in the final concert of the 2007/2008 season, playing harmonium in Kagel's East from The Compass Pieces and piano/celesta in Carter's Asko Concerto at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall. Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times gave the concert a positive review.

Two days before, she was a featured speaker at The Academy's year-end celebration at Carnegie Hall, giving a speech on behalf of her graduating class (the founding fellows of the program) before an audience that included directors and administrative members of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, the Weill Music Institute, and the New York City Department of Education.

This month's edition of Playbill features an article about the projects created by Academy fellows, including the Children's Music Campaign NYC.

On Sunday, June 15, Elizabeth and three of her ACJW colleagues gave a concert at the Saratoga Springs ArtsFest. Elizabeth performed Debussy's Première Rhapsodiewith clarinetist Romie de Guise-Langlois and Messiaen's Quatour pour la fin du temps with Romie, violinist Andrew Beer, and cellist Julia Maclaine. Their performances elicited a standing ovation from the appreciative audience. 

Earlier today, Elizabeth proudly attended the graduation of her fifth-grade students at the Abigail Adams School, an event that brought her Academy tenure to a ceremonial and bittersweet conclusion.

May 19, 2008
THIS WEEK: NPR BROADCAST (WED, 5/21); CMCNYC CONCERT (THURS, 5/22)

This Wednesday (May 21st), Elizabeth will be featured on NPR's "Performance Today." Check out the official "Performance Today" website for more information. The broadcast will feature an excerpt of Elizabeth's Brahms performance from her Lincoln Center solo recital debut last season. 

On Thursday evening, Elizabeth's star students from PS 131Q will take the stage of Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall alongside students from PS 46 and PS 157X in a not-to-be-missed concert celebration! Approximately 80 children in grades 4-6 will be performing world premieres of specially commissioned works by Nico Muhly and James Blachly. Additionally, Elizabeth and her Ensemble ACJW colleagues will give a special encore performance of Catch by Thomas Ades.

Elizabeth and her CMCNYC colleagues are thrilled to present this exceptional event. Please visit the Carnegie Hall website for more details.

April 2008
CHILDREN'S MUSIC CAMPAIGN NYC

The Children's Music Campaign NYC is a project that Elizabeth has created with two of her ACJW colleagues, cellist Claire Bryant and clarinetist Carol McGonnell. Elizabeth is proud to be a co-founder and co-director of this multifaceted community engagement endeavor. Read the official Carnegie Hall press release to learn about the project and check out Elizabeth's personal thoughts on the process at the CMCNYC blog.

A culminating celebratory concert featuring nearly 80 students representing three New York City public schools will take place on May 22, 2008, at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall.

March 3, 2008
EXCITING NEWS AND VARIOUS REVIEWS

Elizabeth is a finalist in the 2009 American Pianists Association Classical Fellowship Awards! She will perform in Indianapolis during the 2008-2009 concert season. Watch this space for the latest updates. 

Earlier today Elizabeth and four of her ACJW colleagues had the honor to play for Werner Hink, concertmaster of the celebrated Vienna Philharmonic. The distinguished violinist gave them a public master class on Schubert's "Trout" Quintet at the Columbus Citizens Foundation in New York City. Elizabeth and her ensemble are scheduled to perform this beloved chamber music masterwork at Weill Recital Hall on March 26. (Elizabeth will also be featured in Thomas Adès' Catch on this concert—don't miss her final Weill appearance of the 2007-2008 season!)

Now, on to some positive reviews. This blogger extolled Elizabeth and Michael for their recent Carnegie Hall premiere of Messiaen's Visions de l'Amen: "They gave a captivating and passionate performance, with the duel Steinways filling the compact hall with a huge, almost deafening sound that conveyed Messiaen's uniquely personal vision of religious ecstasy ... Mizrahi and Roe received a well-deserved ovation, sending everyone out onto 57th Street with a trance-like glaze in their eyes." Elizabeth also received praise from the European Weekly for her Feb. 2 Seattle solo recital.

February 24, 2008
ELIZABETH IS A FEATURED PERFORMER IN CARNEGIE HALL'S "DISCOVERY DAY"

This afternoon, come see Elizabeth give the Carnegie Hall premiere of Olivier Messiaen's epic Visions de l'Amen for two pianos with pianist Michael Mizrahi at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall. Their performance is the culminating event in an afternoon of presentations devoted to the legendary composer's centennial. The performance will be preceded by a lecture given by the leading Messiaen scholar Peter Hill, a film screening of The Crystal Liturgy, and an interview with the conductor-composer extraordinaire Pierre Boulez.

Find out more about this exceptional celebration at the Carnegie Hall website.

Be sure to check out the official Carnegie Hall press release and the Carnegie Hall newsletter for a more in-depth look.

January 19, 2008
ELIZABETH IS ONE OF SYMPHONY MAGAZINE'S "SIX ON THE RISE"

Elizabeth is featured in the cover story of Symphony Magazine's January/Feburary issue as one of the classical music world's young artists to watch. Check back soon for the posting of this exciting article!

January 14, 2008
ANOTHER NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW + RELEASE OF PIANO DUO ALBUM

Happy New Year! Elizabeth started the year with a musical meditation on the end of time. She performed Messiaen's Quatour pour la fin du temps with members of Ensemble ACJW on January 11 at The Juilliard School, and their performance was lauded by The New York Times. Bernard Holland writes: "It is such a handsome gift to the listening public one can only hope that these first-rate young players are learning as much as we are....It says something about New York that one can go into a tiny recital space in the bowels of a music school and hear music of this quality played with such skill and devotion."

To see the complete review (and photo), click here.

In other news, the dramatic and innovative debut album of the Anderson & Roe piano duo will be released to the public tomorrow. Order "Reimagine" now!

2007

December 3, 2007
NPR BROADCAST THIS WEDNESDAY

Elizabeth will be broadcast on NPR's "Performance Today" this coming Wednesday, December 5. Check out the official "Performance Today" website for more information. The show will feature Elizabeth's Smetana performance from her Lincoln Center solo recital debut last April.

November 4, 2007
ELIZABETH'S RISING STARS RECITAL EARNS ACCOLADES, OVATIONS

Elizabeth's October 26 recital in the Ravinia Festival's high-profile Rising Stars Series was a hit with the Chicago audience and critics. Here is the review that appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times:

"The stars must have been in perfect alignment because last weekend three amazing concerts delighted classical music lovers fortunate enough to hear them [....] Friday night in the Ravinia Festival's Bennett-Gordon Hall in Highland Park, pianist Elizabeth Joy Roe, Glenview native and Juilliard grad presented a stunning recital on the Rising Star series, marking her as one of the most individualistic and talented young performers today.

"The Rising Stars at Ravinia series can be a mixed bag, but Oct. 26 we saw real star power. Pianist Elizabeth Joy Roe, who performed with the Ars Viva Orchestra and the Chicago Philharmonic while still at Glenbrook South High School, has grown up beautifully. She knows the power of presentation and wore a glamorous silver and blue sequined gown that suggested a mermaid.

"Her program was anything but ethereal. Her first selection was John Corigliano's Etude Fantasy, with an opening movement for the left hand alone. The work began with booming bass and proceeded in strange and alien paths. When at last two hands were employed, the notes fairly flew from her fingers. Her powerful technique never failed and her skill was as dazzling as her gown that sparkled in the spotlight. Brahms' Sonata No. 2 in F-sharp Minor returned to traditional harmonies, but it was no less demanding, Roe's delicate touch was as winning as her forceful evocations.

"Three lively, charming polkas by Smetana suggested both Debussy and Chopin. A pianist this powerful had to play Liszt, in this case, his piano arrangement of Wagner's 'Isoldens Liebestod.' I've heard orchestras that haven't done the original as well. 

"Her final number was Ravel's turbulent 'La valse,' well suited to her highly individualistic approach to the keyboard art. The cheering audience coaxed two encores -- Rimsky-Korsakov's showy 'Flight of the Bumble Bee' and Roe's own glistening arrangement of Gershwin's 'The Man I Love.' Pieces from the past, made new by this impressive 21st century artist."

Elizabeth thanks her wonderful audience for making this a night to remember.

October 12, 2007
ELIZABETH WINS CRITICAL PRAISE FOR CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCES

Ensemble ACJW's opening concert (October 10) of the 2007-2008 season at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall was a huge success! Elizabeth performed Bright Sheng's Four Movements for Piano Trio and Bartok's Contrasts. Anthony Tommasini, head music critic of The New York Times, responded with a glowing review of the performances. Read the official New York Times review here.

Elizabeth also receives special recognition in a review entitled "Bracing Entertainment at Carnegie Hall" by Susan Elliot at Musical America:

"In Bright Sheng’s Four Movements for Piano Trio, western instruments offer eastern timbres, with both violin and cello using overtones and surface scratchiness to emulate Chinese instruments like the ehru, and the piano gently trilling in the background – at least in the outer movements. Elsewhere, this is a robust, agitated and virtuosic outing, played here with appropriately tumultuous attack, rhythmic punch and sterling ensemble work. When the excellent pianist Elizabeth Joy Roe reached inside the instrument to pluck a lower string, the simultaneity with cellist Claire Bryant’s bow stroke was stunning. Young artists performing works of their time – what could be better?"

A photograph of Elizabeth with her Bright Sheng trio colleagues Anna Elashvili (violinist) and Claire Bryant (cellist) performing at Weill Recital Hall appeared in a New York Sun article about The Academy.

Speaking of Elizabeth and her Bright Sheng trio, they were lauded as giving "a near definitive reading" of the work in an Albany Times Union review of their performance at Skidmore College.

October 3-6, 2007
INAUGURAL ACJW RESIDENCY AT SKIDMORE COLLEGE

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY—Elizabeth is involved in a residency with The Academy—A Program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute at Skidmore College. She and her colleagues have a full schedule of rehearsals, coachings, performances, and various activities with Skidmore students. In addition, Elizabeth will be a featured speaker in Friday evening's pre-concert lecture. Find out more about the Ensemble ACJW's residency here.

September 28-30, 2007
TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOROS FELLOWSHIP

Elizabeth will be performing at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, held at the Trail's End Conference and Retreat Center in Beach Lake, PA. This reunion weekend promises to be jampacked with fascinating talks and forums, exciting performances and presentations, a plethora of outdoor activities, and just happy camaraderie with extraordinary people!

September 17, 2007
THE ACADEMY: SECOND YEAR BEGINS 

Elizabeth starts Year 2 of The Academy. A busy year of performance, teaching, and outreach awaits.

September 6, 2007
ANDERSON & ROE PERFORM AT STEINWAY LAUNCH EVENT

Elizabeth and duo partner Greg Anderson will be the highlighted performers at a Steinway extravaganza! Steinway & Sons is launching a new line of concert attire for men, and the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo will be there to help celebrate this event. Elizabeth & Greg will appear as the featured soloists at the release party, performing their four-hand staples for this star-studded event at New York City's Steinway Hall.

September 5, 2007
ANDERSON & ROE PERFORM GROSSE FUGE AT JUILLIARD CONVOCATION 

The Anderson & Roe Piano Duo will be involved in The Juilliard School's opening festivities by performing Beethoven's four-hand arrangement of his legendary Grosse Fuge at the school's Convocation. Last year, Juilliard made headlines by acquiring the recently-discovered manuscript of this four-hand version; it is one of the most exceptional finds of recent times.

August 28-31, 2007
ARGENTINA RESIDENCY SPONSORED BY THE US EMBASSY

Elizabeth revisits South America for an artistic residency sponsored by the US Embassy in Argentina. She gave solo recitals at the Teatro Argentino in La Plata and the Isaac Fernando Blanco Museum in Buenos Aires as well as a master class at the Beethoven Conservatory. Find out more about her terrific trip here.

August 9, 2007
RAVE REVIEW FOR SOLO RECITAL 

Elizabeth gives a solo recital at the Shandelee Music Festival in the Catskill Mountains to tremendous success; read the rave review here or read it below:

"Livingston Manor — World-class is the best way to describe Elizabeth Joy Roe's solo piano performance before a capacity audience at the Shandelee Musical Festival. She won her first grand prize in international piano competition in Italy at age 13, and her concert Thursday night only confirmed the many rave reviews the twentysomething artist continued to earn both here and abroad.

"Remarkable, indeed, was the tour de force technique she displayed as well as maturity in the interpretation of style. From baroque to contemporary and all periods in between, she captured the psyches of all six composers with effect and conviction. 

"In opening her concert with Bach's Prelude in B Minor, an Alexander Siloti arrangement of an earlier J.S. Bach work, Roe easily reflected the tender mood of the piece with a combination of gracefully arpeggiated chords and flowing melody in opposing hands.

"But as tasty as Bach's appetizer was, it was Etude Fantasy (1976) by John Corigliano that began a series of main courses. 

"Composed of five etudes in different guises, this challenging piece found this phenom running through a plethora of techniques including rippling trills at the top, thundering tremolos in the bass, glissandos in between, cascading passages, crashing chords following moments of tranquility and, in the very end, a floating fadeout.

"Especially prominent, visually as well as aurally, was her engaging performance of 'Isoldens Liebstod,' a piano reduction in which Wagner's Isolde grieves over a dead Tristan. With a combination of closed eyes and slight body movements as well as deep-down expressive playing and Wagnerian ebb-and-flow dynamics, the actor-in-the-pianist reflected the anguish and pain of Isolde by remaining motionless even after she had finished playing.

"The Juilliard grad paid homage to fellow alum Ryan Anthony Francis with a definitive performance of his 'Consolations (2004).' As in Corigliano's composition, this introspective work reflects the gamut of moods from rampaging passages to some hymnal moments.

"Completing the heart of the menu was a scintillating performance by Roe in Ravel's 'La Valse,' a presentation whose techniques included rapid rolling patterns, glissandos and even an occasional blur of hands — although, by contrast, she also managed balletic sweep of hands in the release of lyrical passages. 

"For encore dessert, her glittering as well as juicy interpretation of Gershwin's 'The Man I Love' would have made Liberace proud."

Marcus Kalipolites for the Times Herald-Record (August 11, 2007)

August 2007
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Elizabeth has been busy recording, performing, preparing for upcoming concerts and travels, and simply enjoying the remainder of the summer. Be sure to check out her blog for more details on her whereabouts, activities, and thoughts.

June 20-23, 2007
BACHAUER INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL 

Elizabeth performs at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Festival in Salt Lake City with her piano duo partner, Greg Anderson. Check out commentary and photos of her excursion to Utah here.

June 2007
PART ONE OF THE ACADEMY CONCLUDES 

Elizabeth ends Phase 1 of The Academy—A Program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute on a high note. On June 9 Elizabeth and her ACJW colleagues delivered a riveting concert at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, eliciting kudos from Steve Smith of The New York Times: "The performers who played in Zankel Hall on Saturday night were among the brightest, most promising postgraduate musicians the city has to offer ... That these exciting players could be the new face of classical music for New York schoolchildren is a welcome development, and all the more reason to provide both players and newly minted concertgoers with a sense of how alluring and invigorating the concert experience can be ... These performers have the musical goods [and] played all of these works with consummate skill and compelling verve."

On June 11 Elizabeth and duo partner Greg Anderson gave a special presentation for her elementary school students at the Abigail Adams School in Queens, PS 131Q. Elizabeth and Greg performed two mini-concerts for the entire school, thrilling both kids and teachers alike. June 15 was Elizabeth's final day of teaching until the fall. She wishes her dear students a restful and fun summer break!

May 2007
SPRING CONCERTS: BARTOK AND PREMIERE 

On May 20 Elizabeth and duo partner Greg Anderson presented a performance at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Sponsored by PianoArts of Milwaukee, the concert was set up cabaret-style: Elizabeth and Greg performed on a theater stage equipped with microphones and atmospheric lighting and surrounded by tables for the attendees. The duo pulled out all the stops and gave the premiere of their extensive and wildly creative "New Depiction of the Carnival of the Animals."

Just four days later, Elizabeth performed the Bartok Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion with pianist Michael Mizrahi and percussionists Jared Soldiviero and John Ostrowski in New York. Although the group only had three rehearsals beforehand on this famously difficult work, everyone had a fantastic time onstage!

April 19, 2007
SOLO RECITAL DEBUT AT ALICE TULLY HALL

Elizabeth gave her successful Lincoln Center recital debut as the 2007 winner of the William Petschek Piano Debut Recital Award, performing an ambitious program for a full house. The playbill also featured Elizabeth's own program notes. Read her very own article previewing the recital in The Juilliard Journal.