Some nights are simply meant to beat on in the heart forever. Such was the case of the 2026 New York Philharmonic Spring Gala.
The sold out concert and 600 guests who attended the gala dinner raised $3 million for the beloved organization, which made it the highest grossing Spring Gala for the Philharmonic to date. It was more than just a number that hit the mark. From start to finish, it was an alluring moment in Big Apple history that stirred up inspiration, admiration and even dedicated love for the epicenter of music.
Pianist Evgeny Kissin and the New York Philharmonic, led by Gustavo Dudamel, perform Scriabin’s Piano Concerto at the annual Spring Gala and Concert. (Photo by Chris Lee)
The aura of the event dazzled as the spotlight sparkled brightly on the stage of David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. The phenomenal conductor Gustavo Dudamel took charge of the night and with Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Music & Artistic Director Designate swirled up magic dust that created the brilliance of sound.
The orchestra performed Musorgsky’s “Prelude’ and “Dance of the Persian Slaves,” from “Khovanshchina,” and Stravinsky’s “The Firebird Suite” (1919 version). Renowned pianist Evgeny Kissin, in his first appearance with the orchestra in more than a decade, took the stage as soloist in Scriabin’s “Piano Concerto.” Following a standing ovation, Kissin played two encores: Scriabin’s “Mazurka,” “Op. 25”, “No. 3,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Nathalie-Valse,” “Op. 51,” “No. 4.” The Orchestra closed the concert with the “Pas de Deux” from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”
Bows and roaring applause post performance was led by a spectacular three-course dinner, where tables were set with peonies, ranunculus, anemones, tulips, orchids, and roses in linked glass vases anchored in tree trunk slices with a whimsical touch of faux butterflies. In the Hess Grand Promenade, New York Philharmonic Mitch Hart, President & CEO, and Board Co-Chairmen Peter W. May and Oscar L. Tang gave remarks.
Barbara Tober (Photo by Patrick McMullan/PMC)
Eyes all turned up from their plates to hear the whimsical wisdom given out in the heartfelt words from Gala Honoree Barbara Tober. She paid tribute to her late husband Donald Tober and spoke of love that has carried on. Like Dudamel waving his wand, she produced the same kind of beauty with her story of romance and finding a way to always weave in goodwill in the most harmonious fashion.
Alessandra Saracino Fendi, Fe Fendi, Marilyn Kirschner, Gillian Miniter and Sylvester Miniter attend New York Philharmonic Spring Gala Honoring Barbara Tober at David Geffen Hall on April 28, 2026 in New York. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/PMC)
Guests who shared the appreciation for the meaning of the night included Elizabeth Segerstrom (Gala Honorary Chair), Matías Tarnopolsky (Hart President & CEO, New York Philharmonic), Peter W. May (Board Co-Chairman, New York Philharmonic, and Gala Co-Chair) and Leni May (Gala Co-Chair), Oscar L. Tang (Board Co-Chairman, New York Philharmonic, and Gala Co-Chair) and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang (Gala Co-Chair), Marisa Chearavanont (Gala Co-Chair), LaVon Kellner (Gala Co-Chair), Judy Glickman Lauder (Gala Co-Chair), James L. Nederlander (Board Member, New York Philharmonic and Gala Co-Chair) and Margo M. Nederlander (Gala Co-Chair), Daisy M. Soros (Board Member, New York Philharmonic and Gala Co-Chair), Joshua Bell (Board Member, New York Philharmonic and violinist), Tania León (Board Member, New York Philharmonic and composer), Saad Amer (climate activist), Grimanesa Amorós (artist), Eartheater (musician), Chloe Flower (composer and pianist), Lucia Hwong Gordon (composer), Denyce Graves (mezzo-soprano), Larisa Martinez (soprano), Hera Hyesang Park (soprano), Ellen Reid (composer), Larissa Saveliev (ballet dancer), serpentwithfeet (musician), Christine Shevchenko (ballet dancer), John Varvatos (fashion designer), Christopher Wheeldon (choreographer), Gale A. Brewer (New York City Council Member, District 6, Manhattan), Brad Hoylman-Sigal (Manhattan Borough President), Miesha Smith (Manhattan Deputy Borough President), and Nantasha Williams (New York City Council Deputy Speaker, District 27, Southeast Queens).
Elizabeth Segerstrom, Maria Manetti Shrem (BFA)
An ethereal quality lasted long after each guest went home. They danced in the moonlight outside of the famed Lincoln Center water fountain as they hummed the sounds of the stage in their heads. It was simply a night that carried a tune and had perfect pitch from start to finish.
