Carnegie Hall and WQXR Celebrate the 15th Anniversary Season of CARNEGIE HALL LIVE

Legendary live concert broadcast series kicks off with Carnegie Hall’s Opening Night Gala concert on Tuesday, October 7

Hosted by WQXR’s Jeff Spurgeon and WNYC’s John Schaefer

Airs live on WQXR 105.9FM and wqxr.org

(October 6, 2025 – New York, NY) — WQXR and Carnegie Hall are proud to announce the schedule for the 15th anniversary season of Carnegie Hall Live, the legendary live broadcast series that brings the thrill of live classical performance to audiences in New York, across the country, and around the globe.

The season kicks off on Tuesday October 7 at 7pm with Carnegie Hall’s Opening Night Gala performance by the NYO-USA All-Stars, featuring Yuja Wang on piano. Conducted by Daniel Harding, the program includes selections from Bernstein, Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky.

The season features the Carnegie Hall Live debuts of the Estonian Festival Orchestra led by artistic director and conductor Paavo Järvi in an all-Arvo Pärt program (October 23, 2025), the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, led by music director and conductor Manfred Honeck and featuring pianist Seong-Jin Cho (December 3, 2025), and the Dover Quartet (February 10, 2026). The series will also feature solo recitals for pianists Beatrice Rana (November 12, 2025) and Yunchan Lim (May 28, 2026).

Season highlights include a performance of Verdi’s Requiem by The Cleveland Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and appearances from Carnegie Hall’s “Perspectives” artists, including conductor Marin Alsop, pianist Lang Lang, mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, and violinist Maxim Vengerov. Carnegie Hall Live will also feature two special broadcasts from the Hall’s “United in Sound: America at 250” festival, celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday and its vibrant musical heritage. The Dover Quartet performs a program highlighting works by Native American composers Pura Fé and Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate (February 10, 2026), while The Philadelphia Orchestra, led by Marin Alsop, is joined by pianist Hayato Sumino for Gershwin’s Piano Concerto and the New York premiere of a new work by American composer John Adams (March 31, 2026).

Additionally, this season will include Carnegie Hall’s “Concert of the Century” performance on May 5, 2026. This special performance celebrates the 50th anniversary of the original Concert of the Century and will feature a star-studded cast, including the NYO-USA All Stars, conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, soprano Renée Fleming, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, pianists Emanuel Ax, Evgeny Kissin, Lang Lang, and Daniil Trifonov, and the Oratorio Society of New York, led by Kent Tritle.

Carnegie Hall Live broadcasts are hosted by WQXR’s Jeff Spurgeon and WNYC’s John Schaefer and air live on New York’s only all-classical music station, WQXR FM, and on demand at wqxr.org, and carnegiehall.org/wqxr. In addition, the series airs on public radio stations across the country throughout the year. The full WQXR broadcast schedule is listed below.

“We are so excited to be celebrating this landmark 15th anniversary season,” said LaFontaine Oliver, President, CEO, and Executive Chair of New York Public Radio. “At a time when public media, the arts, and the values of free expression are under continued threat, this partnership stands as a shining example of why access to great music matters. Carnegie Hall Live brings the world’s leading artists into homes across the country, reaffirming our shared commitment to preserving and expanding the reach of live performance. We believe that classical music belongs to everyone, and look forward to another year of unforgettable performances, live from one of the world’s most legendary stages.”

“Celebrating the 15th anniversary of Carnegie Hall Live with our valued partner WQXR is both a joy and a proud milestone for all of us at Carnegie Hall,” said Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director. “This season’s series features an extraordinary lineup of many of today’s finest artists and ensembles. Thanks to our longstanding partnership with WQXR, we are thrilled to share the magic of their live performances from Carnegie Hall with music lovers around the world.”

UPCOMING LIVE BROADCAST SCHEDULE

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VERDI Requiem

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A Gala Evening at Carnegie Hall

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About Carnegie Hall
Since it opened in 1891, Carnegie Hall has set the international standard for musical excellence as the aspirational destination for the world’s finest artists. From Tchaikovsky, Dvorák, Mahler, and Bartók to George Gershwin, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Judy Garland, and The Beatles, music-making by a long list of artists representing the best of every genre has filled Carnegie Hall over the years. The Hall’s unique history has grown out of its stunning acoustics, the beauty of its three concert halls, and its location in New York City, where it has played a central role in helping to elevate the city into one of the world’s great cultural capitals.

Carnegie Hall presents a wide range of performances each season on its three stages—the renowned Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, intimate Weill Recital Hall, and innovative Zankel Hall—including concert series curated by acclaimed artists and composers; citywide festivals featuring collaborations with leading NYC cultural institutions; orchestral performances, chamber music, new music concerts, and recitals; and the best in jazz, global, and popular music.

Complementing these performance activities, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute creates wide-reaching music education and social impact programs that annually serve hundreds of thousands of people in the New York City area, nationally, and internationally. These programs play a central role in delivering on Carnegie Hall’s commitment to making great music accessible to as many people as possible.

Last year, Carnegie Hall in partnership with WQXR launched If This Hall Could Talk, a new eight-episode podcast series that delves into stories of great performances and the shaping of American culture as witnessed at the legendary venue throughout its 130+ year history. Hosted by celebrated Broadway actress/vocalist Jessica Vosk, each episode centers on a unique object drawn from the collection of Carnegie Hall’s Rose Archives—from Benny Goodman’s clarinet and Ella Fitzgerald’s glasses to a ticket from Carnegie Hall’s first Opening Night in 1891 and beyond. 

For more information, please visit https://www.wqxr.org/shows/carnegie/about/.

About WQXR
WQXR is New York City’s only all-classical music station, immersing listeners in the city’s rich musical life on-air at 105.9FM, online at WQXR.org, and in the community through live events and performances. An essential partner to the city’s musical and cultural organizations, WQXR presents new and archival classical recordings and performances from New York City’s esteemed performance venues. Signature programs include Carnegie Hall Live, Metropolitan Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcasts, New York Philharmonic This Week, New York in Concert, the Young Artists Showcase, as well as limited edition podcasts including The Open Ears Project, Made in New York: the NY Philharmonic Story, Every Voice with Terrance McKnight, Helga, and Aria Code, a joint project with the Metropolitan Opera. As a public media station, WQXR is supported through the generosity of its members, donors, and sponsors, making classical music relevant, accessible and inspiring for all.