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

The Royal Philharmonic Rules!

Jan. 12, 2022 – Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, led by the dynamic conductor Vasily Petrenko, delivered a thrilling evening tonight at the McCallum Theatre. The program opened with Britten’s Four Sea Interludes, vividly capturing the drama of the sea. Pianist Olga Kern, renowned for her dazzling technique and charismatic stage presence, captivated the audience in Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, blending power with poetic finesse. Elgar’s Enigma Variations closed the night with emotional depth and grandeur. A world-class performance in an intimate desert setting.

Posted on by James Kampas

A Magical Evening with Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony

Oct. 19, 2017 - Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony.
Oct. 19, 2017 – Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony.

What a pleasure to hear Maestro Riccardo Muti and the incomparable Chicago Symphony Orchestra last night at the McCallum Theatre. Having seen them several times during my years in Chicago—always at the magnificent Symphony Center—it was a treat to reconnect with this extraordinary ensemble here in the desert. The program offered a beautifully balanced trio of works: Schubert’s mysterious “Unfinished” Symphony, Mozart’s sublime Clarinet Concerto, and Schumann’s radiant Second Symphony. Principal clarinetist Stephen Williamson played the Mozart with elegance and warmth.