Lynbrook pianist to perform 'Manhattan Intermezzo'

Jeffrey Biegel will be performing “Manhattan Intermezzo” on Sept. 12.

Courtesy Jeff Biegel website

Songwriter and entertainer Neil Sedaka, left, will be attending the premiere of his classical composition “Manhattan Intermezzo,” to be performed by pianist Jeffrey Biegel, right.

Courtesy Jeffrey Biegel

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Lynbrook resident and world-renowned pianist Jeffrey Biegel will be playing an original composition on September 12 that, he said, “touches my heart” when he performs ““Manhattan Intermezzo,” and original piece by the classically-trained Neil Sedaka.

Yes, it’s the same Neil Sedaka who brought us such chart-busting hits such as “Stupid Cupid,” “Oh, Carol,” and “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.” The two have much in common, including attending Julliard School of Music twenty-two years apart. Sedaka wanted to be a classical pianist, but was sidelined by turning his songwriting skills into a 50-year-plus career in pop music, writing songs for Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Elvis Presley — and eventually becoming a solo artist himself.

“I would like to acknowledge Jeffrey Biegel for his dedication to “Manhattan Intermezzo,” said Sedaka, 72. “We share a unique bond, having both studied under Adele Marcus at The Julliard School of Music in New York. Mr. Biegel’s impeccable performing of the piano part is in the tradition of the great Romantic concerti. Mr. Biegel’s adaptation of “Manhattan Intermezzo” not only enhances my composition, but also proves he understands my work and our roots.” Biegel went to Jullliard in 1977.

“It’s very organic,” Biegel said of the composition. “When a pop composer puts his heart to the pen, he’s always writing harmonic language that pulls at the heartstrings. [Sedaka] has taken this to another level. It’s a very classy piece.”

The two men had run into each other over the years, once at a PBS party at producer/composer David Foster’s house, so Biegel knew that Sedaka was working on a concerto. When it was finished, Sedaka called him. “Hey, I’d like you to take a look at it.” Sedaka said. “You could hear slight reflections of pop melody in the piece,” said Biegel, and after requesting that he could do so, Biegel “took some liberties” to enhance the composition, filling out the piano part, and waited to hear back from Sedaka, who liked the changes — much to Biegel’s relief.

Manhattan Intermezzo