Performance Upstate

Mondays at 8pm on Classical 91.5, WXXI-FM 90.3, WXXICLASSICAL.org

WXXI Classical introduces a new series celebrating the rich tradition of live music-making across the region. Performance Upstate takes you into concert halls, sacred spaces, and festivals across Western and Central New York. You'll hear a diverse and colorful array of pieces interpreted by passionate and skillful musicians from Rochester and beyond, along with some of the stories behind the music. Brenda Tremblay is your host. Many concerts are exclusive to WXXI Classical.

It's an ENCORE presentation of Performance Upstate

Monday nights at 8 p.m. April 5 through June 7, 2021

Program Highlight

It's an encore presentation of Performance Upstate, beginning 04/05/21

Ruth Phinney

Lutenist Michael Leopold joins Deborah Fox for some lute duets in this first program of our new series. We'll also hear from the Gateways Festival…
Program Highlight

We hear musicians from Geneva, Rochester and Roberts Wesleyan, Performance Upstate, 04/12/21

Ruth Phinney

This week (pgm 2) we'll hear more from the Geneva Music Festival, plus the Rochester Early Music Festival, the Roberts Wesleyan College Wind Emsemble and…
Program Highlight

Pegasus, fivebyfive, Geneva, Skaneateles and Madrigalia on tap for Performance Upstate, 04/19/21

Ruth Phinney

This week (pgm 3) we hear from the Dorian Wind Quintet, the Geneva Music Festival, an edgy piece by new music ensemble fivebyfive (pictured here), and…
Program Highlight

It's a Premiere by award-winning composer Scott Perkins on Performance Upstate, 04/26/21

Ruth Phinney

In additional to several festival performances, this program (pgm 4) includes the premiere of award-winning composer Scott Perkins' new work, commissioned…
Program Highlight

The Verona Quartet, Madrigalia, fivebyfive and Gateways, Performance Upstate 05/03/21

Ruth Phinney

In this episode (pgm 5) of Performance Upstate we go to Opening Night of the Geneva Music Festival in May 2019. Here’s what the festival’s Artistic…
Program Highlight

It's an award-winning pianist, Roberts Wesleyan Wind Ensemble, Pegasus and more, 05/10/21, 8pm

Ruth Phinney

On this episode (pgm 6) of Performance Upstate we’ll hear an outstanding performance by 13-year-old pianist Christoper Zandieh, Winner of the 2018…
Program Highlight

Musica Spei, Skaneateles & Geneva Music Festivals, Madrigalia and more, 05/17/21

Ruth Phinney

In this episode (pgm 7) of Performance Upstate we’ll hear a few selections by Musica Spei from their “Keeping Your Head: The peril & power of sacred…
Program Highlight

"Nevertheless She Persisted," "Women Composers Across the Ages," and more 05/24/21

Ruth Phinney

In this episode (pgm 8) of Performance Upstate we hear from two concerts celebrating women. The Geneva Music Festival brings selections from "Women…
Program Highlight

Pegasus, First Inversion, RWC Wind Ensemble, organ music by J.S. Bach and more, 05/31/21

Ruth Phinney

In this episode (pgm 9) of Performance Upstate, we'll hear from Pegasus, First Inversion, Roberts Wesleyan College Wind Ensemble; we'll visit the Geneva…
Program Highlight

First Inversion, Pegasus & Madrigalia - oh...and music that speaks to climate change, 06/07/21

Ruth Phinney

This final episode (pgm 10) of Performance Upstate offers three pairs of delights. We'll hear two world premieres, two choral works by Eric Whitacre and…