Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 06, 2025
Palm Beach Symphony Launches 2025-26 Season with Gershwin Celebration
TLDR
- Palm Beach Symphony's season offers exclusive access to Grammy-nominated artists and premium cultural experiences that enhance social standing and networking opportunities.
- The Masterworks Series begins November 9 at Dreyfoos Hall with Shelly Berg performing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue under Gerard Schwarz's direction.
- This symphony season celebrates American music for the nation's 250th birthday while providing educational outreach that enriches community cultural engagement.
- Hear birds chirping through six off-stage brass players in Respighi's Pines of Rome during this innovative classical-jazz fusion concert series.
Impact - Why it Matters
This announcement matters because it represents a significant cultural event that brings world-class classical and jazz fusion performances to South Florida audiences at accessible price points. The season's focus on American composers, particularly Gershwin, during the nation's 250th birthday celebration makes it historically relevant while showcasing how American musical innovation has influenced global classical traditions. For local residents and visitors, this provides an opportunity to experience Grammy-nominated artists like Shelly Berg in an intimate setting, supporting the region's cultural ecosystem and educational outreach programs that benefit thousands of students. The Symphony's commitment to community engagement through both main performances and educational Lunch & Learn sessions demonstrates how arts organizations can serve broader public interests beyond entertainment alone.
Summary
The Palm Beach Symphony has announced its exciting 2025-2026 Masterworks Series, launching with a spectacular season opener on November 9 at Dreyfoos Hall in the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Under the baton of Music Director Gerard Schwarz, the orchestra will feature five-time Grammy-nominated pianist Shelly Berg performing George Gershwin's iconic Rhapsody in Blue in a program that celebrates American innovation alongside Italian grandeur. The performance, generously sponsored by Patricia Lambrecht, also includes Gershwin's An American in Paris, Alan Hovhaness' meditative Prelude and Quadruple Fugue, and Ottorino Respighi's radiant Pines of Rome, creating a diverse program of exclusively 20th century compositions that beautifully blends jazz with classical traditions.
Shelly Berg brings remarkable credentials to this performance as a Steinway piano artist with an impressive career spanning performance, composition, and education. His recent album Alegría, released in July 2024, adds to his critically acclaimed discography that includes Gershwin Reimagined: An American in London and multiple Grammy-nominated works. Beyond his performance career, Berg serves as Dean and Patricia L. Frost Professor of Music at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music and will be stepping down from that position in Spring 2026. His extensive collaborations with artists like Tony Bennett, Steve Miller, and Gloria Estefan, along with his role as artistic director of The Jazz Cruise, demonstrate his versatile musical expertise that perfectly suits this Gershwin-focused program.
The season continues with an impressive lineup of guest artists including Misha Dichter (December 16), Alisa Weilerstein (January 13), Vadim Repin (March 2), Simon Trpčeski (April 19), and Emanuel Ax (May 17). Complementing the main concerts, the Symphony Sessions: Lunch & Learns offer deeper engagement opportunities, with the first session on November 6 led by principal cellist Claudio Jaffé. Individual tickets ranging from $27.50 to $104.50 are now available through PalmBeachSymphony.org, by phone at (561) 281-0145, or at the Symphony's Box Office. The complete season schedule and additional information can be found at palmbeachsymphony.org, providing music enthusiasts multiple ways to experience this celebratory season marking America's 250th birthday through symphonic excellence.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Palm Beach Symphony Launches 2025-26 Season with Gershwin Celebration
