Kenneth Slowik, James Dunham, Marc Destrubé, and Mark Fewer (Photo: Smithsonian / Jaclyn Nash)
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 four-concert series on Sundays.
Ensemble
Mark Fewer and Marc Destrubé (violins), James Dunham (viola), Kenneth Slowik (violoncello)
Concert Season Information
The Axelrod Quartet’s violist James Dunham will retire at the end of this season after 17 years with the ensemble. In the first three programs, which explore the viola quintet repertoire, the quartet is joined by one of three different violists. Dunham has chosen the final quartet-only program to include some of the works he’s most enjoyed playing over his long and distinguished career, which included membership in the Naumburg Award–winning Sequoia String Quartet and the Grammy Award–winning Cleveland quartet.
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 many of the programs, shedding light on the glorious music and the lives and times of the featured composers.
Concert Season Repertoire
Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Schubert: Quartet in E-flat Major, D87
Mozart: Quintet in G Minor, K515
Brahms: Quintet in F Major, Op. 88
with guest violist Milena Pajero-van der Stadt
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.
Schubert: Quartet in G Minor, D173
Mozart: Quintet in C Major, K515
Mendelssohn: Quintet in B-flat Major, Op. 87
with guest violist Joan DerHovsepian
Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
Schubert: Quartettsatz in C Minor, D703
Mozart: Quintet in D Major, K593
Bruckner: Quintet in F Major, WAB 112
with guest violist Steven Dann
Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Mozart: Quartet in D Minor, K421/417b
Beethoven: Quartet in F Major, Op. 135
Ravel: Quartet in F Major
4 concerts
Special Opportunity for Subscribers
Subscribers to the Axelrod Quartet are invited to attend Haydn Day at the Smithsonian on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in the Taubman Hall of Music at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. Students and faculty members of the 2025 Smithsonian Haydn Quartet Academy present a marathon concert of quartets from Haydn’s Opp. 20 and 33. Reservations are not required for this event.
General Information
- All programs and artists are subject to change.
- In accordance with audience requests, the winter concerts take place during daylight hours.
- All concerts will be held in person at Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, National Museum of American History at 14th St. and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
- This series is also available on Saturdays.
- If you are interested in additional Smithsonian Chamber Music Society in-person concert series, check out these 2024-2025 season options:
- Refer to our health and safety information for in-person programs.
