New York Philharmonic Spring Gala

May 12

May 12 New York Philharmonic Spring Gala

Nearly 600 guests filled David Geffen Hall for the sold-out New York Philharmonic Spring Gala honoring Barbara Tober and the memory of her late husband, Donald Tober. By the end of the evening, the gala had raised a record-breaking $3 million in support of the orchestra, making it the most successful Spring Gala in Philharmonic history.

The night also marked an exciting moment for the Philharmonic as the organization prepares to officially welcome Gustavo Dudamel as its new Music and Artistic Director later this year. Dudamel led the evening’s performance alongside world-renowned pianist Evgeny Kissin, who made his long-awaited return to the orchestra after more than a decade.

BFA- Elizabeth Segerstrom, Barbara Tober

“We are just a few months away from making history for the Philharmonic, for New York City, and the greater cultural world, as we welcome Gustavo Dudamel as our new Music and Artistic Director,” said President & CEO Matías Tarnopolsky.

Elizabeth Segerstrom served as Honorary Chair for the gala, while Gala Co-Chairs included Marisa Chearavanont, LaVon Kellner, Judy Glickman Lauder, Leni and Peter May, Margo and James Nederlander, Daisy Soros, Oscar L. Tang, and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang.

One of the most touching moments of the evening came when Barbara Tober reflected on the role music played throughout her nearly 50-year marriage to Donald Tober. “Music was always in our lives,” she shared warmly with guests. Tarnopolsky later surprised her with a framed Playbill from April 5, 1973 — the date Barbara and Donald were married.

Guests entered through the Karen and Richard LeFrak Lobby, where a green grass carpet led into an elegant cocktail reception ahead of the concert. Inside the hall, the stage was framed with lush spring florals as Dudamel conducted selections from Musorgsky, Scriabin, and Stravinsky. After a standing ovation, Kissin returned to the stage for two encores before the orchestra closed the performance with the beloved Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker.

Following the concert, guests headed upstairs to the Leon and Norma Hess Grand Promenade for a three-course dinner surrounded by elaborate floral arrangements of peonies, orchids, tulips, roses, and ranunculus suspended beneath dramatic hanging installations.

The gala brought together a notable crowd from across New York’s cultural, philanthropic, and fashion worlds, including Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman and Toby Perlman, Chloe Flower, Patrick McMullan, John Varvatos, Christopher Wheeldon, Denyce Graves, Gale Brewer, Kip Forbes, and many others.

Also announced during the evening was a special dedication planned for the Philharmonic’s September 16 concert, which will honor the memories of Donald Tober and Henry Segerstrom. Tickets for the performance can be found here.

Founded in 1842, the New York Philharmonic remains one of New York City’s most iconic cultural institutions, and the Spring Gala felt like both a celebration of its history and a glimpse into its next chapter under Dudamel’s leadership.

For tickets and upcoming performances, visit nyphil.org.