Recent Press by Elizabeth Roe

Throughout the past several months, Elizabeth and her piano duo partner Greg Anderson have performed all over the globe, from a world heritage temple in Kyoto, Japan to ten breathtaking cities across New Zealand. Highlights include a sold-out Kennedy Center debut, an appearance on Performance Today with Fred Child, working with the talented young students of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, and winning Club Cumming's illustrious Yaaaaaaas Award. To quote William Cowper, “Variety is the very spice of life..." Indeed!

A selection of reviews:

Washington Post:

Dazzling… transcendental… While each is a virtuoso powerhouse pianist in his and her own right, what sets the pair apart is an ability to make emotional and spiritual connections with their audiences.

The Press (Christchurch):

I am struggling for superlatives to describe what was an outstanding evening's entertainment, a smorgasbord of dazzling pianistic virtuosity, musicianship and stagecraft, all bundled up in an irresistible package by two dynamic young performers.

Performance Today:

[Anderson & Roe] have redefined what is possible for a piano duo. They have not just totally assured technical chops, but also a flair for dramatic storytelling both musically and visually.

The Wave:

Listening to their recordings you would assume that the music has been edited with layer upon layer of different tracks, but it’s hasn’t. Only by seeing them live in performance can you fully appreciate the extent of the attention to detail these two performers have put into their arrangements. In fact, it feels like you are witnessing an entire orchestra.

DMSReviewBlog:

Elizabeth Joy Roe and Greg Anderson took the stage and proceeded to stomp, clap, slap and play their piano beasts like lion tamers. Their videos are visually interesting and exciting, but it didn’t prepare me with the phenomenon of their live performance.

Hartford Courant:

Passionate intensity! Anderson & Roe were given wave after wave of enthusiastic applause, and the evening felt young and inspired.

DCMetroArts:

[Anderson & Roe] follow no template other than their own inspiration.

Mamanawatu Standard:

If you were looking for an ensemble that could bring the world of chamber music to a new and younger audience, you couldn't ask for much more than that which Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe offered at the Globe.

Classical Sonoma:

Dynamic and mesmerizing... stunning! The full hall went crazy with stomping and yelling and clapping for more.

Otago Daily News:

A full house at the Glenroy Auditorium was blown away by the sheer virtuosity and rapturous engagement with the music exhibited by pianists Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe.

New Zealand Herald:

[Anderson & Roe are] keenly aware of maximizing the impact of the concert experience.

Middle C:

…a compelling and invigorating mix of gravitas and glitter! [Anderson & Roe] throw themselves entirely into each piece, [making] sure the concert was primarily about the music, rather than about them. Spell-binding… sensuous! There were several encores afterwards, which had the audience clapping and bravo-ing for more, the pair generous in response, and leaving us replete with a sense of occasion.

Noted:

Anderson and Roe are a supercharged and virtuosic duo. Their performance style is highly theatrical, with an intense, almost erotic involvement between them.

GoldStar:

Fun, sexy, exciting… fiery rock ‘n’ roll showmanship...

Vail Daily:

[With Anderson & Roe], nothing is off limits.

Piano Day 2018 by Elizabeth Roe

Happy Piano Day 2018! 🎹🎹On this 88th day of the year, we're partnering with Decca Classics and Steinway & Sons to celebrate:

Happy Piano Day! Here's a little four-hand Libertango action on the 88 keys to celebrate the 88th day of the year. Conrad Tao, Inon Barnatan, and Igudesman & Joo: we challenge you to post a live...

Anderson & Roe Piano Duo are taking part in this years #PianoDayChallenge. Join them, as well as pianists across the world, by submitting your own video playing piano video this Thursday.

Will you be taking part in this years #PianoDayChallenge?

Happy Piano-ing, everyone!

Summer Summary / Fall Preview by Elizabeth Roe

Another eventful summer season is in the books, beginning with hosting duties of the 17-day live medici.tv webcast of the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and closing with concerts at the storied Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. In between: concerts at the Southeastern Piano Festival at USC Columbia, Styriarte Festival in Austria, Minnesota Beethoven Festival, Ventura Music FestivalSkaneateles Festival, and more, plus a recording session in Germany (a new piano duo album to be released next spring!). Elizabeth is featured in this article on the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival: Musicians share why Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival is the gig that gives them “all any of us really want”.

A recital at the National Performing Arts Center in Taipei kicked off the 2017 fall season. Up next: concerts across the US, including a special San Francisco Symphony Halloween extravaganza! Check the calendar for tour details and updates.

Anderson & Roe at the 2017 Southeastern Piano Festival (photo credit: Michael Bull)

Anderson & Roe at the 2017 Southeastern Piano Festival (photo credit: Michael Bull)

And here's a round-up of the latest reviews:

Korea Herald:

Partnership does not do justice in describing the electrifying performance by the Anderson & Roe piano duo. [Anderson & Roe] showed the magic that can happen when two musicians perform with one soul. 

The Washington Post:

…Sheer power; two voices speaking as one.

RP Online:

The crossover elements in Anderson & Roe’s performance were no publicity stunts, but rather a living and profound exploration of the duo’s musical mission. They reveled in the pleasure of music making and showcased their pianistic skill through their powerful arrangements; these adaptations went beyond merely imitating by provoking altogether new colors, tensions, and thrills.

Good News Liverpool:

SUPERSTAR piano duo [Anderson & Roe] practically blew the roof off the Liverpool Phil’s Music Room… tremendously charismatic and insanely talented… a triumphant Liverpool debut!

Ventura County Star:

These jaw-dropping virtuosos create a sound on two pianos like you’ve never heard before.

The Korea Times:

...Volcanic!

Shenandoah Magazine:

Electrifying!

Monterey Weekly:

Electrifying would be too small a word to describe the duo. [Anderson & Roe play] in a musical environment of severe risk-taking and wide open experimentation.

The Rochester City Newspaper:

These classical rock stars are charismatic, fun, sexy and wildly talented. 

Peninsula Reviews:

Duo playing of genius... impeccable! I was on my way to heaven well before the end.

Monterey County Weekly:

By now, we...are crushing pretty hard on these two. [Anderson & Roe] don’t have to prove their mastery of classical form or their creative chops; we’re putty in their hands.

WQXR:

A revelation! Pioneers in the...world of the classical music video... [Anderson & Roe were] one of the first signs that classical music was heading in a completely new and exciting direction.