Posted on by James Kampas

Alisa Weilerstein & Inon Barnatan

April 26, 2026 – Pianist Inon Barnatan & Cellist Alisa Weilerstein.

This afternoon at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, I attended a recital that was as intellectually stimulating as it was musically profound. This was no casual touring act; Alisa Weilerstein and Inon Barnatan are a serious chamber duo, bringing a rare level of focus and intensity to the stage.

Weilerstein is one of the leading cellists of her generation. Her style is direct and deeply expressive—moving beyond polished gloss to deliver a raw, compelling musical argument. It was fascinating to hear how her approach paired with Barnatan’s. An Israeli-American pianist with a more architectural, understated style, he provided a brilliant counterbalance, demonstrating why he is so highly regarded in chamber music circles.

The program was a study in variety and technical demand:
de Falla: Suite Populaire Espagnole
Chopin: Sonata in G minor, Op. 65
Shostakovich/Auerbach: Seven Preludes, Op. 34
Rachmaninoff: Sonata in G minor, Op. 19

From the rhythmic vitality of de Falla to the sweeping Romanticism of Rachmaninoff, it was an afternoon of exceptional music-making that highlighted the deep chemistry between these two world-class performers.

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

Mozart’s Requiem at the Hollywood Bowl

Sept. 4, 2025 - LA Philharmonic and LA Master Chorale on stage.
Sept. 4, 2025 – The LA Philharmonic and LA Master Chorale.

Last night’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl was an unforgettable evening. The Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by guest conductor James Gaffigan, delivered an awe-inspiring performance of Mozart‘s “Requiem in D Minor,” featuring the celebrated Los Angeles Master Chorale. The first half of the program was also impressive, with a new LA Phil commission by Ellen Reid titled “Body Cosmic” followed by Brahms‘s moving “Schicksalslied” (Song of Destiny). It’s a truly amazing venue for a concert under the stars, and it brought back great memories of my summer working there back in 1993. Nights like these are what make the Hollywood Bowl so special.

Posted on by James Kampas

Jean-Yves Thibaudet!

March 11, 2025 – Maestro St. Clair takes a bow.

Music Director Carl St. Clair led the Pacific Symphony tonight in an exciting concert at the McCallum Theatre. It began with an energetic rendition of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and concluded with the great composer’s uplifting Symphony No. 7. In between, celebrated French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet delivered a virtuosic performance of Camille Saint-Saëns’ exotic Piano Concerto No. 5, “Egyptian.”