Palm Beach Symphony Announces 2025-2026 Masterworks Series Featuring American Music Celebration

Palm Beach Symphony has launched ticket sales for its 2025-2026 Masterworks Series, featuring a season dedicated to celebrating American music in honor of the nation's 250th birthday. The season opens on November 9, 2025, at Dreyfoos Hall in the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts with pianist Shelly Berg performing George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue under the direction of Music Director Gerard Schwarz.

The opening concert represents a significant cultural moment as it showcases the blending of American jazz traditions with classical symphonic repertoire. Maestro Schwarz emphasized the importance of this programming choice, noting that Gershwin stands as one of the most popular and successful composers in the symphonic world despite writing only a handful of pieces. This performance demonstrates how American musical innovation has earned its place within the classical canon.

Shelly Berg brings substantial credentials to this performance as a five-time Grammy Award-nominated arranger, orchestrator, and producer. His recent album Alegría, released in July 2024, and his Grammy-nominated original composition "At Last" demonstrate his ongoing relevance in contemporary music. Berg's extensive experience includes collaborations with artists ranging from Tony Bennett to Renée Fleming, and his role as Dean of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami underscores his commitment to musical education.

The concert program includes multiple dimensions of 20th century composition. Following Gershwin's An American in Paris, the program features Alan Hovhaness' Prelude and Quadruple Fugue, presented in honor of the 25th anniversary of the composer's death. Maestro Schwarz explained the complexity of this piece, describing how the fugue technique involves multiple instruments playing the same melody in succession while others develop complementary lines, creating intricate musical layers.

The program concludes with Ottorino Respighi's Pines of Rome, which Schwarz described as demonstrating exceptional orchestration skills. The piece includes innovative elements such as recorded bird chirping and six off-stage brass players creating dramatic effects at the conclusion. This selection highlights how 20th century composers expanded orchestral possibilities while maintaining classical traditions.

The full Masterworks Series continues through May 2025 with performances by distinguished artists including Misha Dichter, Alisa Weilerstein, Vadim Repin, Simon Trpčeski, and Emanuel Ax. Concert tickets range from $27.50 to $104.50 and are available through multiple channels including online at https://palmbeachsymphony.org, by phone, or at the Symphony's box office.

Complementing the concert series, Palm Beach Symphony offers Symphony Sessions: Lunch & Learns on Thursdays preceding each concert. These sessions, priced at $125 individually or $600 for a subscription package, provide deeper insight into the musical programming through informal discussions led by Symphony members. The November 6 session will feature principal cellist Claudio Jaffé, an accomplished musician described by the New York Times as "an elegant and accomplished artist" with "taste, technique, musicianship and a contagious youthful enthusiasm."

This season's programming reflects broader trends in classical music programming toward celebrating national musical heritage while maintaining international repertoire. The focus on American composers during the nation's 250th anniversary provides cultural context that enhances audience appreciation and engagement. The inclusion of educational components through the Lunch & Learn sessions demonstrates the Symphony's commitment to building deeper connections between performers and audiences, potentially setting standards for how classical music institutions can enhance the concert experience beyond the performance itself.