Please note that this concert series is also available on Saturdays.
The 42nd season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society (SCMS) features musical masterpieces from the 17th to the early 21st century, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments. Concerts take place in the newly endowed Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music at the National Museum of American History.
Kenneth Slowik, SCMS artistic director and recipient of the Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar Award, again curates a series of pre-concert talks one hour prior to each concert (except the Nov. 18 concert).
GENERAL SERIES INFORMATION
The season opens in October with a Schubert/Schumann evening marking the return of tenor Aaron Sheehan (who gave such a moving performance of Schubert’s Winterreise last year) and several of SCMS’s most senior players.
In mid-November, Dutch actress Katja Herbers—well known to American audiences for her television appearances in “Manhattan,” “The Americans,” and “Westworld”—interprets the evocative texts of of Reinbert de Leeuw’s Im wunderschönen Monat Mai.
December features works of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart, in which three veteran SCMS violinists and three exceptional players of the younger generation dialogue with keyboardist Kenneth Slowik.
The Smithsonian Consort of Viols returns in early January, playing little-known but exquisite works of English composers Richard Mico (1590-1661) and William Lawes (1602-1645).
Mid-January and February continue the works of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart.
In mid-March, Pedja Muzijevic and Slowik present a program containing some of Schubert’s and Beethoven’s most impressive four-hands works.
Long-time SCMS members Vera Beths and Steven Dann return in early April, in the company of two rising stars, for Anton Bruckner’s evocative Quintet. A variety of series selections makes it possible to hear a representative sampling of these varied programs, or to enjoy the entire selection.
SCHEDULE
Sun., Oct. 21, 2018
Franz Schubert: Schwanengesang, D 957
Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet, Op. 44
The Smithsonian Chamber Players: Aaron Sheehan, tenor; Ian Swensen and Marilyn McDonald, violins; Gregory Luce, viola; Myron Lutzke, violoncello; Kenneth Slowik, fortepiano
Sun., Nov. 18, 2018 (UPDATED PROGRAM & LOCATION)
Reinbert de Leeuw: Im wunderschönen Monat Mai: Three times seven Lieder after Schumann and Schubert (2004)
The Smithsonian Chamber Players: Katja Herbers, actress; Kenneth Slowik, piano & direction
Please note there is no pre-concert talk for this concert.
LOCATION UPDATE: Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, American History Museum
Sun., Dec. 16, 2018
J. S. Bach: Suite in A Major, BWV 806Z
J. S. Bach: Sonata in G Major, BWV 1019
Joseph Haydn: Sonata in G Minor, Hob. XVI: 44
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata in G Major, K301/293a
The Smithsonian Chamber Players: Edwin Huizinga, violin; Kenneth Slowik, harpsichord and fortepiano
Sun., Jan. 6, 2019 (CANCELED)
Consort Music of Richard Mico and William Lawes
The Smithsonian Consort of Viols: Kenneth Slowik, Lucine Musaelian, Zoe Weiss, Catherine Slowik, Arnie Tanimoto, viols; with Thomas MacCracken, organ
Sun., Jan. 20, 2019 (CANCELED)
J. S. Bach: Suite in A Minor, BWV 807
J. S. Bach: Sonata in C Minor, BWV 1017
Joseph Haydn: Sonata in E Minor, Hob. XVI: 34
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata in D Major, K306
The Smithsonian Chamber Players: Marc Destrubé, violin; Kenneth Slowik, harpsichord and fortepiano
Sun., Feb. 17, 2019
J. S. Bach: Suite in F Major, BWV 809
J. S. Bach: Sonata in F Minor, BWV 1019
Joseph Haydn: Sonata in G Major, Hob. XVI: 40
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata in B-flat Major, K454
The Smithsonian Chamber Players: Mark Fewer, violin; Kenneth Slowik, harpsichord and fortepiano
Sun., March 17, 2019
Ludwig van Beethoven: Three Marches, Op. 45; Große Fuge, Op. 134
Franz Schubert: Rondo in A Major, D 951; Fantasie in F Minor, D 940
The Smithsonian Chamber Players: Pedja Muzijevic and Kenneth Slowik, fortepiano
Sun., April 7, 2019
Robert Schumann: Quartet in A Major, Op. 41, No. 3
Anton Bruckner: Quintet in F Major, WAB 112
The Smithsonian Chamber Players: Vera Beths and Meredith Riley, violin; Steven Dann and Jasper Snow, viola; Kenneth Slowik, violoncello
8 concerts
Programs and artists subject to change.
