Every seat in Tilles Center was filled when singer-songwriter JACKSON BROWNE appeared for the first time on our stage on Saturday, November 7. Long Island fans, accustomed to seeing him at Jones Beach, savored a solo acoustic show in a more intimate setting. The fine acoustics and comfortable ambience of our Concert Hall provided the perfect venue for an evening of songs and stories spanning Jackson’s songwriting career. We got an up-close-and-personal view of his life and of the people, causes and issues that have motivated his creative work. And the songs! Delivered with simple eloquence, they cast a spell that deepened as the evening progressed. Undistracted by the trappings of a band, or of elaborate staging and lighting, we felt the direct impact of words and music from the heart. It was a magical, unforgettable evening. We’d like to hear from those of you that attended, with your suggestions as to other popular performers you’d like to see us showcase. We have our own wish list, but we’d like to compare notes with you.

This weekend, we return to classical music with the SHANGHAI SYMPHONY on Friday, November 13. An important component of Carnegie Hall’s “Ancient Paths, Modern Voices” festival celebrating Chinese culture, the Shanghai Symphony is that nation’s oldest and most acclaimed symphony orchestra. In a tribute to the music of both East and West, they will perform Bao Yuan-Kai’s “China Air Suite” as well as Tchaikovsky’s Overture to “Romeo and Juliet” and Rachmaninoff’s spectacular Piano Concerto No. 2. The featured soloist is Yuja Wang, a rising superstar of the keyboard, taking the classical world by storm at the age of 22! The Asian theme of our weekend will be rounded out Sunday when the sensational YAMATO DRUMMERS OF JAPAN return for a high-energy performance.

On Saturday, we salute our resident orchestra, the LONG ISLAND PHILHARMONIC, as they open their 30th Anniversary Season. Music Director David Stewart Wiley will lead the orchestra in a program to include Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, “Unfinished’. The distinguished guest artist Seymour Lipkin will perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23, as well as Beethoven’s Fantasy in C minor for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra, featuring the Long Island Philharmonic Chorus under the direction of Frances Roberts.