Sat. March 8

 In 1994, pianist Meng-Chieh Liu (in photo) was blindsided with a rare and debilitating illness that affected his connective tissues. Not good news for anyone, especially a pianist. Liu was hospitalized and immobile for almost a year.  Doctors believed his chances for survival were slim and, if he survived, playing would be impossible. Never say never. With relentless physical therapy and arduous determination, Liu was restored to full health and resumed his concert career to international acclaim. Quite appropriate that he'll be joining Longwood Symphony Orchestra Saturday March 8 at Jordan Hall for an 8 p.m. concert. See, the LSO is the award-winning music organization of highly trained musicians from Boston’s medical community, and it's under the musical direction of Jonathan McPhee. They're in the midst of their 25th anniversary season and this concert features Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” with soloist Liu. The concert also features performances of Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Overture to ‘The Wasps,’” and Carl Nielsen’s “Suite of Three Pieces” including three rarely played short works: “Pan&Syrinx,” “At the Bier of a Young Artist,” and “Helios.” As with all LSO performances, this concert is a forum to raise funds and awareness for charitable medical organizations.  Through its “Healing Art of Music” program, LSO will support two beneficiaries in commemoration of International Women’s Day, Physicians for Human Rights and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, which do work in Boston and around the world on behalf of women’s health and advocacy. Not a bad way to spend $28.

290 Huntington Ave., 617-585-1260 www.longwoodsymphony.org