Notes and Editorial Reviews
When words fade, a song sheds its specific narrative—but the emotion remains with all its potency. You, the listener, are free to infuse the music with your own personal meaning. We challenge you to do so as you listen to this collection of vocal music we’ve reimagined for a wordless medium: the piano duo.
When words fade, we are left with the heart of the matter, the essential truths unmitigated by the approximations of verbal expression. Words may comprise our main mode of communication, but they often fall short in embodying our innermost emotions, thoughts, and imaginings. This is where music enters: in the spaces between, in the silence. Music captures the ineffable, and that is why it is so undeniably powerful—it gives
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our deepest and often subconscious feelings shape and flow, as well as a beating, singing heart.
Or, when words fade, and the sun goes down, we enter a world of darkness and romance, hallucinations and dreams. This album reflects the spectrum of life through a nocturnal lens. In the night, we all face our shadow selves, the demons that lurk in our psyche, the secret aspirations that gleam like stars, and the passions that blaze like fireworks. As you listen to this album, escape the mundane and leap into the music’s revelations.
– Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
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Bonus DVD Tracklist:
1. Der Erlkönig by Franz Schubert / Anderson & Roe
2. A Rain of Tears by Antonio Vivaldi / Anderson & Roe
3. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson / Anderson & Roe
4. Carmen Fantasy by Georges Bizet / Anderson & Roe
R E V I E W S:
Recordings of piano duos may be considered left-field, but they needn’t be strictly for connoisseurs. The original repertoire for the medium includes alluring works by Schubert and Rachmaninoff. Then there are ear-opening arrangements from the days before records, with the piano-duo version of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring able to make the piece sound even more modernist than the famous orchestration.
With the album When Words Fade (Steinway & Sons), Anderson & Roe offer a kaleidoscopic and very contemporary take on how appealing a piano duo can be, as they range from the Baroque to avant-rock. A highlight is their reimagining of Vivaldi’s aria “Sento in seno ch’in pioggia di lagrime” (“I feel within a rain of tears”). One piano is prepared with dampened strings so that its sound approximates the pizzicato of strings and the patter of raindrops; the other piano unfurls a tender melody through that metaphoric veil.
At the other end of the dynamic spectrum is Anderson & Roe’s arrangement of Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android,” a dizzying, suite-like epic from the English band’s 1997 landmark album, OK Computer. The song has inspired wildly divergent cover versions, topped by jazz pianist Brad Mehldau’s improv-stoked solo interpretations. Anderson & Roe compel by virtue of the symphonic grandeur and lyrical subtlety of tandem pianos, richly recorded. The duo’s nine-minute fantasia hints at the unhinged qualities of the original even as it underscores the song’s almost operatic beauty.
– Bradley Bambarger, Listen [Winter, 2011]
The piano duo team Anderson & Roe's first release for the Steinway label is When Words Fade. As one might expect, it is arrangements of vocal music for piano, 4-hands or two pianos, and what's covered ranges from the Baroque to Coldplay. Anderson & Roe are not only skillful and virtuosic performers, they understand their instruments completely and know how to get just what they want out of them. In the Vivaldi arrangement, it sounds as if they've adopted techniques of preparing one of the pianos to very accurately replicate the sound of a plucked string orchestra. Yet, they know the piano isn't going to replace the instruments in Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Instead, they work the song into a fantasy-like setting such as Liszt or Grainger might have done, but retain the steady dance beat and attitude throughout. The Villa-Lobos Bachianas Brasilieras arrangement doesn't try to imitate the sound of the cello ensemble, either; however, although there are some interesting embellishments in it, it doesn't have the warmth or quite the understated passion of the original. Yet most of Anderson & Roe's arrangements not only show off the two musicians' talent, but shed a new light on some familiar music. The physical package comes with a DVD containing videos to go with four of the tracks. These are not just concert performances, but true music videos withstylish direction, where Anderson & Roe's brilliant playing and enjoyment of the music is evident.
– Patsy Morita, All Music Guide
"This pair of exciting performers is revolutionizing the duo piano format today...Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe are concert performers who are successful inbreaking out of the old piano duo format and bringing non-classical audiences into their varied repertory. ... They brave not only classical source material, but also contemporary pop tunes of Michael Jackson, Radiohead, Coldplay and Jacques Brel. Grammy-winning producer Steven Epstein produced their CD, and the sonics are just about the best than can be achieved with the 16-bit CD standard." – John Sunier, Audiophile Audition Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
Performer:
Greg Anderson (Piano),
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: 20th Century
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: Arrangement: Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
2.
Tieteberga, RV 737: Sento in seno by Antonio Vivaldi
Performer:
Greg Anderson (Piano),
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: Baroque
Written: 1717; Venice, Italy
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: Arrangement: Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
3.
Papageno! "Fantasy on arias from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte" by Greg Anderson
Performer:
Greg Anderson (Piano),
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: 21st Century
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: This work was written in collaboration with Elizabeth Joy Roe.
4.
Carmen Fantasy by Georges Bizet
Performer:
Greg Anderson (Piano),
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: Romantic
Written: France
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: Arrangement: Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
5.
Der Erlkönig, D 328 by Franz Schubert
Performer:
Greg Anderson (Piano),
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: Romantic
Written: 1815; Vienna, Austria
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: Arrangement: Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
6.
Songs (14), Op. 34: no 14, Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninov
Performer:
Greg Anderson (Piano),
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: Romantic
Written: 1912-1915; Russia
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: Arrangement: Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
7.
Mathilde, Marieke, et Madeleine by Greg Anderson
Performer:
Greg Anderson (Piano),
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: 21st Century
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: This selection is a concert piece for two pianos based on songs by Jacques Brel and Gérard Jouannest. This work was written in collaboration with Elizabeth Joy Roe.
8.
Liederkreis, Op. 39: no 5, Mondnacht by Robert Schumann
Performer:
Greg Anderson (Piano),
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: Romantic
Written: 1840; Germany
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: Arrangement: Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
9.
Bachianas brasileiras no 5 for Soprano and 8 Cellos: Aria "Cantilena" by Heitor Villa-Lobos
Performer:
Greg Anderson (Piano),
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1938-1945; Brazil
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: Arrangement: Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
10.
Paranoid Android by Radiohead
Performer:
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano),
Greg Anderson (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: 20th/21st Century
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: Arrangement: Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
11.
English Cantatas (6): no 5, The Morning - The glitt'ring sun by Thomas Augustine Arne
Performer:
Greg Anderson (Piano),
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1755; England
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: Arrangement: Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
12.
Viva la Vida by Coldplay
Performer:
Elizabeth Joy Roe (Piano),
Greg Anderson (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Period: 21st Century
Date of Recording: 7/2011
Venue: Concert Hall, SUNY Purchase, New York
Notes: Arrangement: Greg Anderson & Elizabeth Joy Roe
Featured Sound Samples
Papageno! "Fantasy on arias from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte" (Anderson)
Mathilde, Marieke, et Madeleine (Brel, arr. Anderson)
Bachianas brasileiras no 5 for Soprano and 8 Cellos (Villa-Lobos): Aria "Cantilena"
Sound Samples
Billie Jean (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
Giustino, RV 717 (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe): Giustino, RV 717, Act II: Sento in seno ch'in pioggia di lagrime (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute), K. 620 (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe): Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute), K. 620, Act II: Papagena! Papageno! (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
Carmen Fantasy (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
Erlkonig, Op. 1, D. 328 (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
14 Songs, Op. 34 (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe): 14 Songs, Op. 34: No. 14. Vocalise in E minor (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
Mathilde, Marieke, et Madeleine (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
Liederkreis, Op. 39 (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe): Liederkreis, Op. 39: No. 5. Mondnacht (Moonlit Night) (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
Bachianas brasileiras No. 5 (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe): Bachianas brasileiras No. 5: I. Aria: Cantilena (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
Paranoid Android (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
The Morning (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe): The Morning: The Glitt'ring Sun (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
Viva la Vida (arr. G. Anderson and E. J. Roe)
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 3 Customer Reviews )
I dare you to listen to Carmen Fantasy. --it's a May 13, 2013
By Donald C. (Ottawa, ON) See All My Reviews
"Words can not give you an idea of my inner response to this piece of art. If I could fall in love with music, I've become the song."
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My favorite CD!! April 27, 2013
By J. Leigh (GLENVIEW, IL) See All My Reviews
"Outstanding duo, these two. This CD is bold and full of delightful twists. Every piece is exciting. Three favorites are Billie Jean, Paranoid Android (Radiohead), and Viva la Vida (Coldplay). This CD is one of my favorite CD's and I play it all the time. Don't miss a chance to see them in concert!"
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A Tour De Force March 30, 2012
By Michael B. (Ames, IA) See All My Reviews
"I was late to the party and only found out about this duo after hearing them on NPR's Song of the Day. I really liked that song,Billie Jean, or rather their rendition. I read several reviews in various papers and magazines and I am glad I made the leap. They are very inspiring and not afraid to try something new. Their juxtaposition of classical and contemporary music makes both idioms fresh and surprising. You can tell they love what they're doing and they are enticing the listener to appreciate music they wouldn't ordinarily be listening to. If you like music, of any stripe, you'll find something on this album that's appealing and if you keep listening you may find yourself enjoying other kinds of music you didn't think you would. Yes, they are that good. The DVD is well done also. Like the CD it runs the whole gamut from mirthful to serious and is beautifully staged and filmed. Highly recommended."
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