The David Hochstein School fo Music - Rochester, NY - American Guide Series on Waymarking.com

From page 122:

"The David Hochstein School of Music, 12 Hoeltzer Street, was organized in 1920 as a memorial to David Hochstein, Rochester's soldier-musician who lost his life in the Meuse-Argonne campaign of 1918. Mr. James Sibley Watson purchased the Hochstein property for the purpose of establishing a school to further the musical education of children at very low cost.

"The school is under the direction of samuel Belov, former condtuctor of the Eastman Symphony orchestra and a member of the School's faculty. The close connection of the David Hochstein School with the Eastman School of Music enables students to carry on their studies at the latter institution."

Much more can be learned about David Hochstein and about the history of the school from the Hochstein School of Music and Dance website.

Summarizing Hochstein's life, David, born Feb 16, 1882, was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants. For his 5th birthday his father gave him his first violin and was his first instructor. In 1900, David began studying with Herr Ludwig Schenck, one of Rochester's most respected musicians. In 1902, after being heard practicing while at a friend's house, Emily Sibley Watson heard the practicing going on next door and became David's benefactor, ensuring that he received the finest instruction avialable.

With Ms. Watson's financial support, David studies under Ottakar Sevclk in Vienna from 1909-1912, and graduated with highest honors. He was the first American to win triple prizes offered by the Meisterschule and to win both the One Thouseand Crown and the First State Prize. David went on to study in St Petersburg, Russia with Leopold Auer (considered the finest violinist of the time) from 1913-1914. This part of his studies was financed by George Eastman, who also purchased two violins for David's use. (a 1735 Carlo Landolphi and a 1715 Stradivarius)

Hochstein debutted in Carnegie Hall in 1915, performing as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera. He composed four peices between 1916-1917, published by noted New York publisher Carl Fisher, and he transcribed to Brahms works. In October 1917 David joined the army, and was assigned to infantry; in October 1918 he was killed in the Battle of Argonne.

By April of 1919, a Hochstein Memorial Concert had been organized by David's two patrons, for a proposed Memorial Music School. In 1920, a Provisional Charter was issued by New York State in the former Hochstein family home. It moved to 12 Hoeltzer Street in 1928, and in 1974 moved to this building, which belonged Central Presbyterian Church at the time. Central Church consolidated with Brick Church on S Fitzhugh Street to become Downtown Presbyterian Church. In 1978, it sold the building to the Hochstein School for $1.00. (visit link)

In 2004, the building at 12 Hoeltzer street, mentioned in the American Guide was destroyed by fire. If you put that address into googlemaps, you will see an empty lot today.

Book: Rochester - Monroe County Page Number(s) of Excerpt: p 122 Year Originally Published: 1937

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Date Logged Log User Rating   10/14/2012 HenriettaHeroes visited it