Misha Dichter's 80th Birthday Tour Hits Kravis Center with Palm Beach Symphony

Pianist Misha Dichter brings his commanding artistry to West Palm Beach's Kravis Center for a special performance as part of his 80th-birthday tour, joining forces with the Palm Beach Symphony under the baton of Music Director Gerard Schwarz. The December 16th Masterworks Series concert features a breathtaking performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, a work Schwarz describes as consisting of "24 variations on the last of Paganini's set of Caprices for violin" where "each variation is a little jewel and has its own character." The program showcases international flair with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's colorful The Snow Maiden Suite, Gabriela Lena Frank's vibrant Elegía Andina, and Manuel de Falla's fiery The Three Cornered Hat, with Schwarz having created a special third suite from de Falla's ballet material to give audiences "a real flavor of this absolutely charming, wonderful work."

Dichter's appearance represents a milestone in an extraordinary career that began with winning the silver medal at the 1966 International Tchaikovsky Competition while still a Juilliard student, launching performances with major orchestras worldwide including the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein, Boston Symphony Orchestra with Erich Leinsdorf, Berlin Philharmonic, and Amsterdam's Concertgebouw Orchestra. His legendary discography spans Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Gershwin, and other major composers. Beyond performing, Dichter is fiercely dedicated to education, conducting masterclasses at institutions including Aspen, Curtis, Eastman, Harvard, Juilliard, and Yale, while also overcoming Dupuytren's Disease through surgery and physical therapy to continue his performance career. The concert represents one of the first stops on his celebratory tour, with individual tickets available through PalmBeachSymphony.org ranging from $27.50 to $104.50.

The Palm Beach Symphony's Masterworks season continues through May 2025 with appearances by cellist Alisa Weilerstein, violinist Vadim Repin, and pianists Simon Trpčeski and Emanuel Ax. Additional programming includes Symphony Sessions: Lunch & Learn events hosted by principal cellist Claudio Jaffé, described by the New York Times as "an elegant and accomplished artist" of "taste, technique, musicianship and a contagious youthful enthusiasm." These $125 sessions offer behind-the-scenes insights into concert preparation and repertoire selection while featuring gourmet catering. The Symphony, founded in 1974 and recognized with a 2020 Muse Award for Outstanding Community Engagement, maintains a strong educational mission having reached over 90,000 students through children's concerts, coaching sessions, and free public performances, supported by numerous sponsors including the organization's comprehensive website at palmbeachsymphony.org.