Smithsonian Chamber Music Society audiences 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 Nicoló Amati—in this popular three-concert series on Saturdays.

With the retirement of Marilyn McDonald, long-serving member of both the Smithson and Axelrod quartets, the three remaining ASQ members—Marc Destrubé, James Dunham, and Kenneth Slowik—are using this season to perform with a number of violinists in programs that illustrate the breadth of the quartet repertoire while being unified through the inclusion of a Beethoven quartet in F Major on each program.

Concert Program

• Haydn: Quartet in C Major, Op. 20, No. 2
• Shostakovich: Quartet No. 4 in D Major, Op. 83
• Beethoven: Quartet in F Major, Op. 18, No. 1

Program guest is violinist Shelby Yamin.

Additional Axelrod String Quartet Saturday Series Performances

• April 1
• April 29
• This series is also available on Sundays.

Other Smithsonian Chamber Music Society Performances

• February 4: Viennese Classics
• March 18: A Celebration of Marin Marais
• March 19: A Celebration of Marin Marais
• May 14: Schubert's "Fair Maid of the Mill" with Smithsonian Chamber Players

General Information

• Advanced registration is required. No tickets will be sold at the door.
• Refer to our health and safety information for in-person programs.