Anderson and Roe—Boffo in Bellingham

Jan 27, 2012

On Thursday, Jan 26, a jolly contingent of local residents projected their own brand of Methow Valley hospitality all the way to Bellingham's Western Washington University to hear upcoming international star Elizabeth Joy Roe perform a beautifully arranged and musically satisfying suite of piano duets with her piano partner Greg Anderson.

This reviewers favorite piece was an endearing and marvelously choreographed version of "Libertango" by Piazzolla. The moment in the performance when Greg rises from the piano to stand at Elizabeth's side, placing both his hands on the strings, damping them to create a beautiful pizzacato effect, while gazing lovingly into the eyes of his piano-playing partner simply melted the audience's collective heart, bringing about a huge standing ovation. see this performance on youtube

Music festival regulars John and Cathy Ehrenberg, Carolyn Cilek, Howard and Liz Johnson, Marcy Stamper, and Egon and Carolanne Steinebach travelled to Bellingham for the well-attended concert and afterwards hosted a sparkling private reception for the artists. Elizabeth and Greg were thrilled to receive such attention. From a room at the elegant Hotel Bellweather overlooking the harbor, the conversation flowed (as did the champagne) until well past midnight.

The group hopes that Elizabeth will be sufficiently impressed with their hospitality to return this summer for another performance at the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival.

If you haven't got it already, check out the latest album by Anderson and Roe, "When Words Fade."

This album includes many original arrangements of famous works, including Heitor Villa-Lobos' "Bachianas Brasileiras No 5 for Soprano and 8 Cellos," a piece performed with the full grandeur of all eight cellos in our own festival last summer. The work loses none of its evocative power in the translation to piano.

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