Fortas Chamber Music Concerts: 2008-2009 Season

Upcoming Events

Claremont Trio
Oct 30, 2008 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
Comprised of twin string musicians Emily and Julia Bruskin and pianist Donna Kwong--their colleague from The Juilliard School--the trio plays a program featuring a world premiere by Nico Muhly and works by Smetana and Schubert.
Emerson String Quartet
Nov 5, 2008 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
Two seasons ago, the Emersons performed Shostakovich's first eight string quartets, enrapturing Fortas audiences. They return to perform Shostakovich's remaining string quartets, Nos. 9-12 (Nov. 5) and Nos. 13-15 (Nov. 6).
Emerson String Quartet
Nov 6, 2008 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
Two seasons ago, the Emersons performed Shostakovich's first eight string quartets, enrapturing Fortas audiences. They return to perform Shostakovich's remaining string quartets, Nos. 9-12 (Nov. 5) and Nos. 13-15 (Nov. 6).
Perlman-Schmidt-Bailey Trio
Nov 12, 2008 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
For their second Fortas appearance, this acclaimed trio--pianist Navah Perlman, cellist Zuill Bailey, and violinist Giora Schmidt--lends its energetic performance style to works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and others.
Juilliard String Quartet
Dec 5, 2008 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
The ever-evolving institution that is the Juilliard String Quartet has become a living American legend. It makes its Fortas debut with Mendelssohn's Quartet in E-flat major, Dutilleux's Ainsi la Nuit, and Ravel's Quartet in F major.
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Jan 25, 2009 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
Juilliard graduate Augustin Hadelich has established himself as an eloquent, versatile, and unique voice among the new generation of violinists. He's joined by pianist Rohan De Silva for works by Beethoven, Prokofiev, Sarasate, and Bartok.
Guarneri String Quartet: Farewell Tour - Final Concert in Washington
Feb 10, 2009 at 7:30 PM | On Sale 12/11/08,
After 45 years as one of the world's most revered quartets, the Guarneri embark upon their final tour. For their last DC concert, they play Beethoven's String Quartet in A minor and, with original cellist David Soyer, Schubert's Cello Quintet in C major.
The Hilliard Ensemble
Feb 12, 2009 at 7:30 PM | On Sale 12/11/08,
One of the world's foremost vocal groups, this British a cappella quartet makes its Kennedy Center debut, bringing its ensemble virtuosity to bear on great works of the Medieval, Renaissance, and contemporary periods.
Harolyn Blackwell, soprano, with Post-Classical Ensemble
Mar 1, 2009 at 7:30 PM | On Sale 12/11/08,
One of the brightest stars on stage today, soprano and D.C. native Harolyn Blackwell is joined by Post-Classical Ensemble, self-dubbed as "more than an orchestra," for a unique program of chamber music with roots from Europe's Iberian Peninsula.
Composer Spotlight: Lera Auerbach
May 1, 2009 at 7:30 PM | On Sale 2/12/09,
Continuing in the tradition of great 19th and 20th-century pianist/composers, Auerbach is one of the most widely performed composers of the new generation. She performs a program of her works with cellist Alisa Weilerstein and mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke.
Composer Spotlight: Bruce Adolphe
May 2, 2009 at 7:30 PM | On Sale 2/12/09,
Composer Bruce Adolphe's chamber music, symphonies, film scores, and song cycles have been performed all over the world. This concert, a selection of his chamber works, features some of today's exciting musicians and the Center debut of the Apollo Trio.
Composer Spotlight: Joan Tower
May 4, 2009 at 7:30 PM | On Sale 2/12/09,
Sophisticated and technically demanding--yet extremely approachable--composer Joan Tower's music is often personally inspired. Tower on piano is joined first by her frequent collaborators the Muir Quartet and then the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio.
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio and Miami String Quartet
May 5, 2009 at 7:30 PM | On Sale 2/12/09,
These two world-renowned ensembles return for a program with works by Boccherini and Dvorák, as well as the D.C. premiere of a new piano septet written for them by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich in recognition of Contemporary Music Week.
The Nash Ensemble of London
May 6, 2009 at 7:30 PM | On Sale 2/12/09,
The Nash Ensemble of London boasts an eclectic repertoire, from the classics to the contemporary. They perform a program that was chosen by British composer and conductor Oliver Knussen, the curator of the Kennedy Center's Contemporary Music Week.
National Symphony Orchestra chamber ensemble: Oliver Knussen, conductor/Contemporary Music Program
May 10, 2009 at 7:30 PM | On Sale 2/12/09,
British conductor Oliver Knussen leads a chamber ensemble of NSO musicians as part of the Kennedy Center's Contemporary Music Week. The program includes Knussen's Requiem - Songs for Sue featuring soprano Claire Booth.

Past Events

Concertante
Oct 8, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Comprised of six core virtuoso string players who are all alumni of The Juilliard School, Concertante performs a program dedicated to string sextets by Martinu, Dvorák, and Tchaikovsky.

All programs are subject to change.
List of all Chamber Music Concerts

Kennedy Center Chamber Music Resources