Since 1976, the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society’s exhibitions, concerts, tours, broadcasts, recordings and educational programs have brought the Smithsonian’s priceless collection of musical instruments to life for hundreds of thousands in the Washington area and millions of people all over the world.

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Upcoming Concerts

Joseph Haydn: Quartet in F Minor, Op. 20, no.5

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 26

Franz Schubert: Quartet in D Minor, D810, Death and the Maiden

The Axelrod String Quartet

Joseph Haydn: Quartet in F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 26

Franz Schubert: Quartet in D Minor, D810, Death and the Maiden

 

 

The Axelrod String Quartet

Osvoldo Golijov: Tenebrae

Dmitri Shostakovich: Quartet No. 7

Franz Schubert: Quartet in G Major, D887

The Axelrod String Quartet

Great Instruments with Great Stories

Rovatti was born in Italy in 1861 and trained there as a pupil of Joseph and Enrico Rocca. He emigrated to Argentina in 1885, producing about 1,000 violins,... More
The Stradivarius cello of 1701, known as the Servais, is unquestionably among the jewels of the Smithsonian’s collection. It is a magnificent instrument... More
This beautiful violin bears a label identifying it as the work of Nicolò Amati, the son of Hieronymus and nephew of Antonio Amati, who are known as... More