This fall, Live from Hochstein—the beloved lunchtime concert series that has become a cornerstone of Rochester’s cultural life—celebrates its 50th anniversary, beginning this year on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
You're invited to experience Live from Hochstein with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra on Wednesday, October 15th at 12:10pm, in person at the Hochstein Performance Hall (50 N. Plymouth Avenue, downtown Rochester) or by listening to the live broadcast on WXXI Classical.
This special anniversary season continues the tradition with a wide-ranging lineup of concerts from October through December. Performances include the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under Music Director Andreas Delfs (Oct. 15), the piano trio of Beverly Smoker, Bonnie Choi, and Kevin Nitsch in Soundscapes (Oct. 22), and cellist Kathleen Murphy Kemp with pianist Dr. Jiao Sun (Oct. 29). November features pianist Tony Carmia (Nov. 5) the Eastman School of Music Brass Guild (Nov. 12), as well as flutist Rita George Simmons, cellist Hilary Glen, and pianist Tze-Wen Julia Lin (Nov. 19). The series concludes in December with a performance by Joshua Conyers (Dec. 3), and festive holiday programs on Dec. 10 and Dec. 17.
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), founded in 1922, enriches and inspires the community through music with about 150 concerts and broadcasts each year, reaching up to 170,000 people through performances, education programs, and community engagement across the region. Led by Music Director Andreas Delfs since 2021 and Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik in his 30th season, the RPO also serves more than 15,000 young people annually through its education initiatives. Delfs, an internationally acclaimed conductor with over 35 years of experience, is celebrated for his passionate interpretations, commitment to living composers, and collaborations with many of the world’s top orchestras and soloists, bringing artistry, vision, and authenticity to the RPO’s stage.
Live from Hochstein with host Mona Seghatoleslami is a series of midday concerts by some of the finest artists in our area broadcast live from The Hochstein Performance Hall. Each of these free concerts runs from 12:10-12:50 p.m., giving downtown business people, teachers, families, students, and friends an opportunity to enjoy classical music by outstanding musicians, including soloists, duos, and vocal and chamber ensembles. You can also hear an encore broadcast of Live from Hochstein later the same day at 10 p.m. on WXXI Classical.
