South Shore Symphony Orchestra Concert

Rockville Centre has one of the finest orchestras in the region.  Largely performing at Molloy College’s Madison Theatre, the South Shore Symphony begins its 30th season with a bang! On Sunday, October 27th at 3PM renowned piano soloist, Jeffrey Biegel, will be performing George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and Neil Sedaka’s “Manhattan Intermezzo” with the orchestra.  In addition, Conductor and Music Director Scott Jackson Wiley leads the South Shore Symphony in a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances”, the concert music from “West Side Story” and Music from “Guys and Dolls”. This concert of New York composers will delight the entire family.

Considered one of the great pianists of our time, Jeffrey Biegel has created a multi-faceted career as a pianist, recording artist, composer and arranger. His electrifying technique and mesmerizing touch have received critical acclaim and garnered praise worldwide. Jeffrey Biegel, performed the premiere of Neil Sedaka’s “Manhattan Intermezzo” for piano and orchestra with the Orchestra Kentucky. He has regularly performed with the South Shore Symphony to the delight of local concert goers.

In addition, Neil and Leba Sedaka will be in the audience for the performance of his work "Manhattan Intermezzo”.  Neil’s interest in music began at the young age of eight, when he would listen to The Make-Believe Ballroom radio show. But, it was not Rock N Roll, but Classical music that would shape Neil into the musician he is today. By the time he was nine years old, he had already begun his intensive classical piano training at the prestigious Julliard School of Music. At 16, Arthur Rubinstein, one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century, voted Neil as one of the best New York High School pianists. Though Neil considered pursuing a Doctorate in music, Neil’s next choice became his chosen vocation.

Eager to gain acceptance from his peers at Abraham Lincoln High School, Neil began performing Rock N Roll outside of his classical training. At this time, he formed the Doo-Wop group The Tokens, which would record two singles that would go on to be regional hits. But, it was his introduction to his young neighbor Howard Greenfield, by Greenfield’s mother, that began one of the most prolific songwriting partnerships of the last half-century that sold forty million records between 1959 and 1963.

Neil returned to his classical roots, composing his first symphonic piece “Joie De Vivre”, and his first piano concerto “Manhattan Intermezzo”. In October 2010, Neil recorded these two pieces with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London at the famed Air Studios in London.

The Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts will host a cocktail party immediately following the concert at Molloy College to meet the Artists for members of the Guild. Ticket holders may join the Guild in advance or at the concert itself.  Tickets are $25 for Adults, $20 for Guild Members and $5 for students.  Tickets are available on line at madisontheatreny.org or by calling the box office at 516 323-4444