All shows at 3:00 PM
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Shelly Berg, piano
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Simon Trpčeski, piano
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Emanuel Ax, piano
EVENING
All shows at 7:30 PM
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Misha Dichter, piano
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Alisa Weilerstein, cello
Monday, March 2, 2026
Vadim Repin, violin
All performances will be held at The Dreyfoos Hall located at The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Dear Friends,
As Music Director of Palm Beach Symphony, it is my great pleasure to invite you to join us for our 2025–2026 season—a remarkable journey through some of the most powerful and inspiring works in the classical repertoire. This season reflects our shared passion for musical storytelling, from beloved masterpieces and thrilling solo debuts to newly commissioned works that mark bold new chapters in our history.
To celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we open our 52nd season with American brilliance—Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue featuring the incomparable Shelly Berg, and An American in Paris, a vibrant orchestral gem. I am especially honored to lead the world premiere of Lullaby by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec, commissioned exclusively for Palm Beach Symphony by Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter. Throughout the season, we continue to spotlight American composers Gabriela Lena Frank, Daniel Asia, and Alan Hovhaness whose distinct voices enrich our programming with depth and character.
You will experience sweeping orchestral masterpieces that I look forward to sharing with you: Strauss’ epic Alpine Symphony, Respighi’s dazzling Pines of Rome, and Holst’s cosmic The Planets. We will also revel in the genius of Beethoven and Brahms, while exploring the unique soundscapes of de Falla, Stravinsky, Shostakovich, and Rimsky-Korsakov.
We are delighted to welcome back the legendary pianists Emanuel Ax and Misha Dichter - two remarkable artists I’ve greatly enjoyed working with over the years. Ax will bring the season to a radiant close with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22. We also are thrilled to welcome several remarkable soloists making their Palm Beach Symphony debuts, including cellist Alisa Weilerstein performing Shostakovich’s deeply expressive Cello Concerto No. 1, violinist Vadim Repin with Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, and pianist Simon Trpčeski in a virtuosic performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3
Inside this brochure, you will find full season details, subscriber benefits, and ways to support our mission. I am deeply grateful for your continued belief in our work. Your support makes everything we do possible, and I look forward to sharing this extraordinary season of music with you.
With appreciation,
Gerard Schwarz Music Director and Conductor Palm Beach Symphony
Sunday, November 9, 3:00 PM Gerard Schwarz, conductor
GEORGE GERSHWIN An American in Paris
GEORGE GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue
▶ Intermission
ALAN HOVHANESS Prelude and Quadruple Fugue, Op. 128
OTTORINO RESPIGHI Pines of Rome, P. 141
Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Shelly Berg opens the season with a dazzling performance of Rhapsody in Blue. Maestro Gerard Schwarz leads the Symphony in Gershwin’s beloved An American in Paris, Hovhaness’ Prelude and Quadruple Fugue and Respighi’s majestic Pines of Rome for a thrilling start to the season.
This evening’s Guest Artist is generously sponsored by Patricia Lambrecht/ The Patricia Lambrecht Family Foundation
Tuesday, December 16, 7:30 PM
Gerard Schwarz, conductor
NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV The Snow Maiden Suite
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
▶ Intermission
GABRIELA LENA FRANK Elegía Andina “Andean Elegy”
MANUEL de FALLA The Three Cornered Hat
Beloved pianist Misha Dichter joins Maestro Gerard Schwarz for a romantic evening featuring Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. The night concludes with vibrant rhythms from RimskyKorsakov’s colorful Snow Maiden Suite, Gabriela Lena Frank’s Elegía Andina and de Falla’s spirited The Three-Cornered Hat.
Tuesday, January 13, 7:30 PM
Gerard Schwarz, conductor
DANIEL ASIA Gateways
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 107
▶ Intermission
RICHARD STRAUSS An Alpine Symphony, Op. 64
Internationally acclaimed cellist Alisa Weilerstein brings her breathtaking artistry to Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in a thrilling evening under the baton of Gerard Schwarz. The Symphony’s journey continues with Daniel Asia’s Gateways and Richard Strauss’ sweeping Alpine Symphony.
Monday, March 2, 7:30 PM Gerard Schwarz, conductor
PAUL MORAVEC Miami Variations
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63
PAUL MORAVEC Lullaby (World Premiere, commissioned for Palm Beach Symphony by Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter)
▶ Intermission
JOHANNES BRAHMS Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90
Virtuoso violinist Vadim Repin returns to ignite the stage with Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 under the baton of Maestro Gerard Schwarz. Be part of history with the world premiere of Paul Moravec’s Lullaby, commissioned especially for Palm Beach Symphony by Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, and experience his evocative Miami Variations. The evening comes to a soaring close with Brahms’ rich and lyrical Third Symphony.
This evening’s Guest Artist is generously sponsored by Ari Rifkin/The Len-Ari Foundation
Sunday, April 19, 3:00 PM
Gerard Schwarz, conductor
IGOR STRAVINSKY Scherzo Fantastique, Op. 3
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
▶ Intermission
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 47
Pianist Simon Trpčeski joins Maestro Gerard Schwarz for an electrifying afternoon as soloist in Prokofiev’s dazzling Piano Concerto No. 3. The program also features Stravinsky’s vivid Scherzo Fantastique and Shostakovich’s emotionally charged Symphony No. 5, showcasing the orchestra in full force.
Sunday, May 17, 3:00 PM
Gerard Schwarz, conductor
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Egmont Overture, Op. 84
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-Flat Major, K. 482
▶ Intermission
GUSTAV HOLST The Planets, Op. 32
Legendary pianist Emanuel Ax brings Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22 to dazzling life in a grand season finale led by Gerard Schwarz. Beethoven’s heroic Egmont Overture and Holst’s cosmic masterpiece The Planets complete this unforgettable concert. This evening’s Guest Artist is generously sponsored by Suzanne Mott Dansby
THE SEASON- BECOME A SUBSCRIBER
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SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
ONLINE: www.palmbeachsymphony.org
PHONE: Box Office (561) 281-0145 | Monday–Friday | 9 AM –5 PM
EMAIL: boxoffice@palmbeachsymphony.org
SAVE THE DATES FOR OUR 2025-2026 LUNCH AND LEARNS
SINGLE SESSION: $125 each
FULL SERIES (6 SESSIONS): $600
ALL SESSIONS TAKE PLACE FROM 12:00 PM TO 1:30 PM
SYMPHONY SESSION 1
Thursday, November 6, Host: Claudio Jaffé, Principal Cello
SYMPHONY SESSION 2
Thursday, December 11, Host: Claudio Jaffé, Principal Cello
SYMPHONY SESSION 3
Thursday, January 8, Host: Yun Xuan Cao, Assistant Conductor
SYMPHONY SESSION 4
Thursday, February 26, Host: Gerard Schwarz, Music Director
SYMPHONY SESSION 5
Thursday, April 16, Host: Yun Xuan Cao, Assistant Conductor
SYMPHONY SESSION 6
Thursday, May 14, Host: Gerard Schwarz, Music Director
Lunch & Learn takes place every Thursday before each Masterworks concert in the Community Foundation Building, located at 700 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Enjoy a three-course lunch alongside special guest speakers during an intimate and engaging conversation about the music, composers, and historical context behind our Masterworks concerts. These sessions offer a deeper understanding of the masterworks program and are perfect for both newcomers and seasoned music lovers alike.
700 South Dixie Highway, Suite 100 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Palm Beach Symphony is proud to offer student tickets for just $10 for the upcoming season. To reserve your student tickets or learn more, please contact Bryce Seliger, Education & Programming Associate, at bseliger@palmbeachsymphony.org.
We offer special group rates for the exciting 2025-2026 Masterworks Series—starting with just 10 tickets! Form your group today and enjoy a thrilling evening with Palm Beach Symphony. For pricing and details, contact Sage Lehman at 561-281-0145 or groups@palmbeachsymphony.org.
Step into a night of music and meaningful connections with your organization at Palm Beach Symphony’s Meet Me in the Mezzanine —an exclusive social experience at the Kravis Center during our 2025-2026 Masterworks Series. Mingle with fellow professionals, sip champagne, meet our musicians, and enjoy a world-class performance. To register your organization or explore sponsorship perks for the 2025-2026 season, contact Sage Lehman, at boxoffice@palmbeachsymphony.org or 561.281.0145.