Anderson & Roe Piano Duo discuss Musical Mixology, their upcoming Virtual Piano Extravaganza in collaboration with Portland Piano International, and share a special cocktail recipe for our 21+ readers to enjoy.

Musical Mixology

Classical Post: Musical Mixology has been something that you’ve played with for a while now and have featured prominently on your blog. How did you get into mixology?

GREG: I’ve always loved a great cocktail! And, of course, our lives are steeped in music. The idea to consciously pair the two seemed completely innate to me. I was originally fascinated by the idea of crafting cocktails to complement the music of specific composers (or in some cases, specific pieces of music), my premise being the effective pairing of music and cocktails enhances the potency of both.

LIZ: Although we don't have any formal training in mixology, we are naturally inclined, as artists, to experiment and create. Cocktail literature initially provided the foundation for experiments at home, then we would test our concoctions during rehearsal breaks. The parallels between making music and libations ultimately led to our musical mixology concept; we’ve even given full-fledged recitals based on this theme.

Engaging All Of The Senses

CP: How does mixology add a fun element to the concert experience? What drew you to engaging all of the senses?

GREG: Our mission is to make classical music a relevant and powerful force in society, and this pursuit informs nearly everything we do as artists. We constantly strive to challenge and engage our listeners with the hopes of generating a deeply personal response to the music. Musical Mixology offers us yet another opportunity to do so! Ultimately, we believe any great artistic experience has the potential to engage all the senses, and we’ve discovered that music and cocktails, properly paired, can lead to new revelations in sound, taste, and smell.

LIZ: This idea of using cocktails to engage all the senses vis-à-vis the concert experience has opened new perspectives for us regarding the presentation of music. We’re always looking for new ways to demystify classical music for those who might view this genre as inaccessible. Sipping a well-crafted cocktail while taking in a concert can amplify the listening experience, engender positive connections (with the music, performers, and fellow audience members), and create space for greater relaxation and, yes, fun.

Virtual Piano Extravaganza Presented By Portland Piano International

CP: Where do you find inspiration for new cocktail recipes? Will the mixology sessions at the Virtual Piano Extravaganza (August 15 & 16) be centered around the music?

LIZ:  In general, the music itself serves as our principal source of inspiration. (For instance, a piece by Mozart might warrant a fizzy drink, whereas the music of Brahms calls for something earthier.) Additionally, our wonderful fans have inspired us throughout the years; as a result of our Musical Mixology posts, we've received unique, rare liquors as gifts that have influenced our cocktail experiments. 

GREG: The recipes we’ve prepared for the Portland Piano Virtual Extravaganza are centered around each program. The August 15 performance features multiple works composed in response to the pandemic, including Gerd Kühr’s Corona Meditation for an unlimited number of virtual pianists; we fashioned a floral, meditative gin-based cocktail to accompany his gorgeous composition. The August 16 virtual event is our love-letter to Portland. For this concert, we’ve crafted a Cascade-inspired, rustic old fashioned with marionberries and Portland-based Freeland Spirits Bourbon.

CP: What inspired you to engage with this Virtual Piano Extravaganza in collaboration with Portland Piano International?

GREG: The pandemic turned the world upside down right before we were scheduled to perform in Portland (one of our favorite cities). These concerts were postponed, along with the remainder of our 2020 live events, and we found ourselves isolated apart, mulling over how we could best continue our artistic mission. 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?”

LIZ: Ultimately, we envisioned the unifying power that a virtual, live performance experience could offer during this challenging period, so we sought to recreate everything we love about live concerts: a strong sense of community, the thrill of risk-taking, and a profound connection with humanity. Portland Piano was very supportive of our aspiration to create virtual events that feel relevant, surprising, highly interactive, and lovingly tailored to their city. We hope to capture the spontaneous spirit of live performance and give music-lovers the opportunity to connect with each other and the joy of piano music. The events we designed will feature multiple world premieres of new compositions and music videos, as well as a variety of activities involving participation from members of the Portland Piano community and our international fanbase. We’re working around the clock to bring everything together!

CP: How would you recommend audience members set the mood for the Virtual Piano Extravaganza in their own space?

GREG: We suggest checking out our “Music Listening Manifesto.” We created this manifesto years ago to expand and enhance the listening (and viewing) experience, and these points very much apply to the virtual concert forum!

LIZ: If you’re able to join us on August 15 & 16, give yourselves a well-deserved break from the stressors of life, make a cocktail (or two!), grab your favorite snacks, find a cozy place to sit for a couple of hours, and simply enjoy. Feel free to directly engage with us during both events: post questions and comments, read our program notes (posted on our website), and even play a piano work with us in real time – Gerd Kühr’s meditative Corona Meditation (featured on the August 15 event; details can be found here).

Cocktail Recipe By Anderson & Roe Piano Duo

CP: Could you please share a summer cocktail recipe with us?

GREG: Absolutely! One of the cocktails we’re featuring during our Portland Piano Virtual Extravaganza is sourced from Portland’s Freeland Spirits and paired with Gerd Kühr’s Corona Meditation. Our recipe combines the botanical notes of Freeland’s exquisite gin with soothing chamomile tea. The result is an enchanting summer drink redolent of a stroll through a cosmic garden. 

THE CORONA MEDITATION

1½ oz Freeland Gin

¾ oz fresh lemon juice

½ oz white tea syrup

*¼ oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur

½ oz egg white, lightly beaten (vegans can substitute with aquafaba)

Slice of lemon peel (optional)

*To make white tea syrup, bring 6 ounces of water to a boil. Add two bags of your favorite chamomile tea and steep for 5 minutes. Discard the tea bags and add 3/4 cup of granulated sugar (or 12 ounces sugar by weight) and stir over heat until the sugar dissolves. Bottle and chill the syrup until ready for use.

Prepare the drink by combining all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until very cold, then fine-strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Squeeze a slice of lemon peel over the surface of the drink (discard the peel) and enjoy!

LIZ: We wish everyone (of drinking age) happy and responsible drinking! Please stay safe and healthy, everyone!

Buy Tickets to Anderson & Roe’s Virtual Piano Extravaganza (August 15-16 2020)

Anderson & Roe Piano Duo

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 “the most dynamic duo of this generation” (San Francisco Classical Voice), “rock stars of the classical music world” (Miami Herald), and “the very model of complete 21st-century musicians” (The Washington Post), the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo aims to make classical music a relevant and powerful force around the world. Their five critically acclaimed albums have spent dozens of weeks at the top of the Billboard Classical Charts, while their Emmy-nominated, self-produced music videos have been viewed by millions on YouTube and at international film festivals.

Since forming their dynamic musical partnership in 2002 as students at The Juilliard School, Anderson & Roe have toured extensively worldwide as recitalists and orchestral soloists; appeared on NPR, MTV, PBS, and the BBC; presented at numerous international leader symposiums; and served as hosts for the medici.tv webcast of the 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. A live performance by Anderson & Roe was handpicked to appear on the Sounds of Juilliard CD celebrating the school’s centenary. Highlights of the 2019/20 season include performances throughout North America, Europe, and Asia; a stint as guest hosts of NPR’s From The Top; the release of nearly a dozen new music videos; and a multi-week residency at the Tippet Rise Art Center as recitalists, recording artists, and filmmakers.

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