Posted on by James Kampas

Chamber Music Blooms in the Desert

Feb. 22, 2026 – Tereza Stanislav, Rafael Rishik, Andrew Schulman, & Robert Brophy.

I had an enriching Sunday afternoon at the Richards Center for the Performing Arts in Palm Springs. The New Hollywood String Quartet gave a performance that moved seamlessly from the moody, soulful atmosphere of Turina to the sharp, clever energy of Haydn. They saved the best for last with Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 1, Opus 11—especially the famous Andante Cantabile, a movement in which the music became so warm and tender you could hear a pin drop. It was a perfectly balanced afternoon that felt both lively and deeply relaxing.

The New Hollywood String Quartet, inspired by the original, great Hollywood String Quartet, gave its debut concert in Los Angeles in 2001. They are now considered one of the premier string ensembles of their generation. All four musicians are members of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

Presented by Palm Springs Concerts.

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

Euclid String Quartet Delivers

Euclid Quartet at the Richards Center for the Arts.
Feb. 9, 2025 – Euclid Quartet at the Richards Center for the Arts.

A brilliant performance this afternoon by the highly regarded chamber ensemble the Euclid Quartet, at the Richards Center for the Arts in Palm Springs. The program included string quartets by Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Schubert. “Entr’ acte” by Caroline Shaw was a pleasant surprise, and the Astor Piazzolla encore was an excellent finale to the concert.

Posted on by James Kampas

Hilary Hahn Plays Bach

Hilary Hahn Plays Bach
Sept. 29, 2018 – Hilary Hahn takes a bow at the Alex Theatre.

What a GREAT concert last night! Brilliant violinist Hilary Hahn graced the stage of Glendale’s Alex Theatre to open the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s 2018–19 season with a program titled Hilary Hahn Plays Bach. Under the baton of guest conductor Gemma New, the evening featured Hahn and LACO Concertmaster Margaret Batjer in a performance of Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins—a work they had previously recorded together in 2003. The program also included Bach’s Violin Concerto in E Major, Andrew Norman’s Try, Franco Donatoni’s Eco (in its U.S. premiere), and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, “Italian.”