Behind the Marshall Weinberg Classical Music Season that comes to a close next weekend – a season bookended with performances by premier violinist Joshua Bell and the superstar trio of violinist Stefan Jackiw, cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and pianist Daniil Trifonov – is a man who plays no instrument but has been instrumental to every note. Marshall Weinberg is among the most generous supporters of classical music in the history of The 92nd Street Y. A lifelong giver, Mr. Weinberg’s philanthropy spans Jewish life, including a deep commitment to JDC, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee; higher education; reproductive rights; and international justice.
A lifelong lover of the arts, it is Mr. Weinberg’s passion for classical music – pianist and Bach specialist Angela Hewitt is his favorite artist – and his experiences attending concerts in Kaufmann Concert Hall that elevated him from generous 92NY supporter to concert seasons in his name. 92NY Director, Special Initiatives Laura Spitzer works closely with Mr. Weinberg. “Marshall considers Kaufmann Concert Hall the greatest hall in NYC,” she says. “He speaks almost reverently about its intimacy and acoustics, and proudly hails it as unrivaled in the city for solo artists, chamber music, and small ensembles.”
Yet it was when our hall went dark, like every other in every corner of the world when the pandemic struck, that Mr. Weinberg’s generosity came so critically to the rescue. Amy Lam, who helms 92NY’s concerts programming, says, “Marshall used his passion for classical music and support for our concerts programming to help us through one of the most challenging times in our history. He recognized with us that it was more important than ever to bring the beauty and nourishment of classical music to people, even if artists and audiences could no longer gather in person.” With his support, 92NY pivoted to livestreaming concerts – more quickly than any other performing arts institution – first with concerts by artists from their homes in locations from Philadelphia to Berlin; later, broadcast from our stage in an otherwise empty hall. Wherever the music came from, though, audiences followed. The livestreams reached viewers and listeners in more than 130 countries.
“Marshall cares deeply about the Jewish and broader community, and about human rights and dignity. He is a great believer in the power of culture and the arts, and the importance of access for all,” says Spitzer. “In a kind of silver lining of this global crisis, Marshall’s generosity brought uplift and enrichment – and it has continued well beyond.” She added, “It gave us tremendous pleasure to honor him at our Virtual Gala in 2021 as a way of recognizing and thanking him for his incredibly meaningful support.” This February, ahead of a Sunday afternoon Beethoven recital by pianist Richard Goode, a plaque dedicated to Mr. Weinberg was unveiled at the entrance to Kaufmann Concert Hall in a ceremony with him present, in appreciation of his exceptional support – this, a recognition that now greets every concertgoer.
Mr. Weinberg’s dedication to giving is something he freely acknowledges absorbing from his mother. In a 2019 interview with the Museum of Natural History, where he is also a supporter, he remarked, “If I didn’t have such a wonderful mother, I would never [have been inspired to] give every penny in support of important causes.” He spoke about how his mother’s commitment to helping others made an indelible impression on him.
His love of classical music began early and was fueled by his older brother. In a 2021 interview before the Gala ceremony at which he was honored, he told us, “In 1939 I was nine years old. That year, the world-famous Vienna-born harpsichordist Yella Pessl, came to Columbia University to teach sub-courses. My wonderful older brother Edward was a student at Columbia, and decided to take her music course. He later showed me a paper he had written for the course, in which he’d asked his kid brother, “who is your favorite musician in the world?” To which I quickly answered, “Bach.”
In another interview for his beloved alma mater, University of Michigan, Mr. Weinberg said, “Someone once said that when you help a professor or someone who will go on to teach people, your reach continues and who knows where it will end … It’s eternal and profound.”
Eternal and profound. Like the continuing reach of Marshall Weinberg. And like Bach.
Learn about the importance of supporting 92NY concerts at 92NY.org/supportconcerts.