Posted on by James Kampas

Jussen Brothers Dazzle at McCallum Theatre

The Jussen Brothers lit up the stage last night with a performance that was both polished and genuinely fun to watch. Their virtuosity was unmistakable, but the warmth and ease between them at the piano really set the tone for the evening.

Jan. 23, 2026 - Lucas Jussen (L) and Arthur Jussen (R) performing at the McCallum Theatre.
Jan. 23, 2026 – Lucas Jussen (L) and Arthur Jussen (R) playing Rachmaninoff.

Lucas Jussen and his younger brother Arthur Jussen are widely recognized as one of today’s leading piano duos. Born in 1993 and 1996 in the Netherlands, the brothers have built impressive international careers, performing at major concert halls across Europe, the United States, and beyond. Known for their close musical rapport, they combine precision with expressive nuance, creating performances that are both technically refined and deeply engaging.

The program:
Mozart: Sonata in C Major for Piano Four-Hands, K. 521
Schumann: Andante and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 46
Widmann: Bunte Blätter for Two Pianos
Debussy: Six Épigraphes Antiques
Rachmaninoff: Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos, Op. 17

This performance was presented at the McCallum Theatre in partnership with the Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic.

Posted on by James Kampas · 4 Comments

Jack London State Historic Park

House of Happy Walls Museum at the Jack London State Historic Park.
Jack and Charmian London Gravesite at the Jack London State Historic Park
Wolf House Ruins at the Jack London State Historic Park
House of Happy Walls Museum at the Jack London State Historic Park

When I was in my early teens, I read Jack London’s books The Call of the Wild and White Fang, and I’ve admired him ever since for his fierce love of adventure and his early passion for nature conservation. Visiting Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, California, brought that admiration full circle, as I explored the places most connected to his life and legacy.

The House of Happy Walls Museum, built by his wife Charmian after his death, offers a vivid glimpse into Jack’s world through books, photographs, and artifacts from his travels. Nearby, the haunting stone ruins of Wolf House stand as a powerful reminder of London’s grand vision—a 26-room mansion that tragically burned before he could move in. Finally, a quiet walk through the woods leads to his simple gravesite, a peaceful resting place beneath the trees of the land he loved.

Jack London State Historic Park was not originally part of our plans, but after visiting, I’m happy we did.

Posted on by James Kampas

The Proms at the Royal Albert Hall

August 8, 2022 – A memorable night in London.

Attending The Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall was a surreal and unforgettable experience. This storied venue has welcomed everyone from classical titans like Tchaikovsky, Mahler, and Stravinsky to popular icons such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin — a testament to its place at the heart of musical history.

The BBC Proms — short for “Promenade Concerts” — is an eight-week summer festival founded in 1895 by conductor Henry Wood to make great music accessible to all. Today, it remains one of the world’s most celebrated classical music events, bringing together leading orchestras, soloists, and conductors for an extraordinary range of performances.

Our evening featured the world premiere of Gavin Higgins’s Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra, a new work performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and The Tredegar Band under the baton of Ryan Bancroft, followed by a powerful rendition of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique — a fitting finale in such an iconic hall.