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Rita Kohn
Performance Reviews
Modern/Contemporary
United States
Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Ballads, Beats & Big Pianos

by Rita Kohn
October 2, 2011
Indianapolis, IN
4 ½ stars
American Piano Association. Oct. 2

For more information about APA and Artsgarden, go to
www.americanpianists.org
ww.artscouncilofindianapolis.org/artsgarden.html

This review was originally published in NUVO Newsweekly, Indianapolis, IN.

Rita Kohn is a member of the Board of the Dance Critics Association.
APA partnered pianists Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe with a guest appearance by Dance Kaleidoscope for an inspired and inspiring premiere performance in a night club for each. Talbot Street Club provided an intimate setting as part of APA's "Grand Encounters" series. Anderson and Roe have been described as the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of the piano and as performing ballet at the keyboard. Their extraordinarily visual and visceral playing expands the concept of sit and listen to a standard repertoire. Anderson and Roe not only have engaging personalities, they engage the audience with sprightly introductions and new arrangements of old works "re-imagined" to be in the moment of creative collaboration between composer and performers. They practically "chewed up" the Steinway grands opening with Schubert's ballad Der Erlkonig describing a child's delirium on a dark, stormy night, then did a total turnaround with Bach's softly melodic "Ebarme Dich" from The Saint Matthew Passion. Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring Part I bristled with conflict between the elders and the sacrificial virgin. Mystery imbued Villa-Lobos' "Lo, at Midnight" from Bachiana Brasileiras No. 5; Piazzolla's Libertango sizzled to close Act I. Act II opened with Liberty Harris' floatingly sensuous embodiment of St. Saens' The Swan, followed by DK dancers letting loose to Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. Both performances radiated delight with live piano accompaniment. Anderson and Roes closed the program with The Bee Gees' witty Turtle "Stayin' Alive," Radiohead's dramatic Paranoid Android and a masterful 12-minute encapsulation of the heart and soul of Bizet's Carmen as Fantasy for Two Pianos. More at www.andersonroe.net
Elizabeth Joy Roe and Greg Anderson, 4 hands at one piano closing Act I

Elizabeth Joy Roe and Greg Anderson, 4 hands at one piano closing Act I

Photo © & courtesy of Bob Bader


Swans floating in for DK The Swan

Swans floating in for DK The Swan

Photo © & courtesy of Bob Bader


Liberty Harris, St. Saens The Swan choreographed by David Hochoy, Dance Kaleidoscope

Liberty Harris, St. Saens The Swan choreographed by David Hochoy, Dance Kaleidoscope

Photo © & courtesy of Bob Bader


Anderson and Roe, Act II

Anderson and Roe, Act II

Photo © & courtesy of Bob Bader


Dance Kaleidoscope performing with Anderson & Roe Piano Duo

Dance Kaleidoscope performing with Anderson & Roe Piano Duo

Photo © & courtesy of KC Goshert Photography

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