Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe
Brief Bio:
Known for their adrenalized performances, original compositions, and notorious music videos, GREG ANDERSON and ELIZABETH JOY ROE are revolutionizing the piano duo experience for the 21st century. Described as “Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers transposed from the dance floor to the keyboard” (Southampton Press) and “the intense synchronization of genius” (ThirdCoast Digest), Anderson & Roe aim to make classical music a relevant and powerful force around the world. Their most recent album, When Words Fade (Steinway Label), was released to critical acclaim in 2012 and spent nearly a dozen weeks at the top of the Billboard Classical Charts, while their wildly creative, self-produced music videos have been viewed by millions on YouTube.
The two Steinway artists met in 2000 as freshmen at The Julliard School (where they both earned their bachelor's and master's degrees) and formed their dynamic musical partnership shortly thereafter. They have since toured extensively, with notable recitals across the globe.
Anderson & Roe believe strongly in the communicative potential of music, and their performances, compositions, websites, videos, recordings, and writings all serve this mission, bringing joy to people around the world. As the Northwest Reverb recently stated, “[Anderson & Roe] swept the audience into a cheering mass of humanity, making a strong case that playing piano is the most fun thing that two people could ever do together.”
Piece: Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
Piece: Sonata for Two Pianos by Mozart
Piece: Viva la Vida by Cold Play
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12 Pianists at One Piano
Brief Description:
On Saturday, 1 January, the audience at Cairo Opera House witnessed a remarkable event: The 12 Pianists. Performing Albert Lavignac’s “Galop March” transcription by Christoph Sischka, all twelve at one piano, was how they accomplished the Guinness world record of “the highest number of pianists at one piano”, in 2002.
Four pianists sat on the floor, legs stretched under the piano, the other eight stood behind them and they all began to play. But their positions were constantly changing: some stepping backwards to take some air, a lady slipping and crawling under the piano to get out of the crowd then charging at the piano, gently pushing the others aside. All pianists made some trips around the four pianos on the stage, formed a queue, alternating and relaying the playing, which remained uninterrupted and even, in both tempo and temper. They finally took their initial position to end the piece. Their relaxed dynamics was not only amusing, it also matched and enhanced the French composer’s March.
This ensemble of gifted musicians was founded by Christoph Sischka, a professor at Freiburg University of Music. The other members are lecturers at music universities, composers and world-wide performers from Germany, Japan, Russia and Egypt, with Dina El-Leisy.
Piece: Galop Marche a 12
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Victor Borge
Brief Bio:
Victor Borge, born Børge Rosenbaum, was a great entertainer, a humorist and world-class pianist. Known as the Great Dane and the Clown Prince of Denmark.
He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on the 3rd of January 1909, and educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. In the 30's he became one of Denmark's greatest musician, staring out as a classical pianist, but soon developing his very own style of music and humor.
In 1940 he moved to America, and even though he didn't speak any English at all, he soon managed to translate his jokes for the American audience, and he had his first performance in the States in 1941 at Bing Crosby's radio show.
Victor Borge became American Citizen in 1948, and got his own show "Comedy in Music" a few years later.
In 1993 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Victor Borge died on the 23rd of December 2000 in his home in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA.
Piece: Hungarian Rhapsody #2 by Franz Liszt