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The 39th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the 17th to the early 20th century, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments. Two series, performed by the SCMS's accomplished artists, offer musical feasts simply unobtainable anywhere but at the Smithsonian. Concerts will be presented in three venues: the chic new Hall of Music in the National Museum of American History (which occupies the space formerly given over to the Hall of Musical Instruments); the newly restored Grand Salon of the Renwick Gallery; and the historic Smithsonian Castle Commons. One hour prior to each program, Kenneth Slowik, SCMS artistic director and recipient of the 2011 Smithsonian Secretary’s Distinguished Scholar Award, continues his popular pre-concert lectures, shedding light on the glorious music and the life and times of the featured composers.

For tickets and subscription information, visit: ResidentAssociates.org/Chamber (no handling fee), or call 202-633-3030 ($3 nonrefundable handling fee per phone order)

The Axelrod Quartet Series

The Axelrod String Quartet
Marc Destrubé, violin
Marilyn McDonald, violin
James Dunham, viola
Kenneth Slowik, violoncello

Smithsonian Chamber Music Society audiences Axelrod String Quartet are privy to the unparalleled experience of being able to hear two magnificent quartets of instruments—one made by Antonio Stradivari, the other by his teacher Nicolò Amati—in this popular three-concert series. Over the course of the season, the Axelrod String Quartet concludes its traversal—begun last season—of Haydn's Op. 76 quartets. Each program is further developed around the presence of a guest artist or ensemble. For the November concerts, Deborah Dunham lends the profound voice of her instrument to Dvorak's String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77, which the Axelrods introduce with his Quartet in D Minor, Op. 34. Following its January tradition, the Axelrods invite a promising quartet early in its career to participate in a gala, all-Stradivarius-and-Amati reading of the Mendelssohn Octet. This year's choice is the Excelsa Quartet, the prize-wining graduate quartet-in-residence at the University of Maryland, College Park. Mendelssohn's Quartet in A Minor, based on his song, Frage ("Question"), fills out the program. For the final concerts, one of Schubert's most intriguing early quartets is paired with his incomparable two-cello Quintet, D956. Guest cellist Norman Fischer wields the powerful 1701 "Servais" Strad for these memorable performances.

See the individual listings in the Concert Schedule for complete program information for the Axelrod Quartet Series.

The Masterworks Series

The Smithsonian Chamber Players