The Smithsonian Chamber Music Society celebrates its 32nd season with performances of musical masterpieces from the late 17th century to the 20th century.

Presented through the Smithsonian Associates, the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society will offer two special series: “Masterworks of Five Centuries” and “The Axelrod Quartet.” The SCMS, in residence at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, will perform in the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. One hour before each performance, SCMS artistic director Kenneth Slowik will hold pre-concert lectures.

Masterworks of Five Centuries Series

Sunday, Nov. 16; 7:30 p.m.
The Smithsonian Chamber Players, featuring Pedja Muzijevic (fortepiano), Vera Beths (violin) and Kenneth Slowik (violoncello), present Mendelssohn: The Piano Trios in the Grand Salon of the Renwick Gallery.

Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009; 7:30 p.m.           
The Smithsonian Consort of Viols, featuring Marie Dalby, Catharina Meints, Slowik, Craig Trompeter and Brent Wissick, presents the Consorts of Orlando Gibbons, William Byrd and Christopher Tye in the Grand Salon of the Renwick Gallery.

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009; 7:30 p.m.
The Smithsonian Chamber Players, featuring Ian Swenson and Marilyn McDonald (violins), Douglas McNabney (viola) and Slowik (violoncello and fortepiano), present the annual Schubertiade including Schubert’s String Trio in B flat Major, D471; Sonata in A Minor, D385; and Quartet in G Major, D887 in the Grand Salon of the Renwick Gallery.

Sunday, March 15, 2009; 7:30 p.m.
The Esterházy Machine, featuring Steven Dann (violin and viola), Myron Lutzke (violoncello) and Slowik (baryton and fortepiano), presents Haydn: Trios for the Esterházys in the Grand Salon of the Renwick Gallery.

Sunday, April 5, 2009; 7:30 p.m.
The Smithsonian Chamber Players featuring Mark Fewer and Michi Wiancko (violins), Dann and Katherine Murdock (violas) and Slowik (violoncello), present Berwald’s String Quartet No. 3 in E flat Major; Béla Bartόk’s String Quartet No. 3 and Mendelssohn’s Quintet in A Major, Op. 18 in the Grand Salon of the Renwick Gallery.

Sunday, May 17, 2009; 7:30 p.m.
The Smithsonian Chamber Players featuring McDonald and Julie Andrijeski (violins), Slowik (viola da gamba and violoncello) and James Weaver (harpsichord and organ), present Trio Sonatas of Purcell and Handel. Location TBA.

The Axelrod String Quartet

Saturday, Oct. 18; 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 19; 7:30 p.m.
The Axelrod String Quartet presents Mozart’s Quartet in F Major, K590; Cherubini’s Quartet No. 1 in E flat Major and Beethoven’s Quartet in F Major, Op. 18 No. 1 in the Grand salon of the Renwick Gallery.

Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009; 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009; 7:30 p.m.
The Axelrod String Quartet presents Mozart’s Quartet in B flat Major, K589; Mendelssohn’s Quartet in F Minor, Op.80 and Beethoven’s Quartet in E flat Major, Op.74, “The Harp” in the Grand Salon of the Renwick Gallery.

Saturday, May 2, 2009; 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, 2009; 7:30 p.m.
The Axelrod String Quartet presents Haydn’s Quartet in G Major, Op. 64, No. 4; Mozart’s Quartet in D Major, K575 and Beethoven’s Quartet in F Major, Op. 135. Location of this concert TBA.

Tickets

Tickets are required and may be purchased in advance by series or individually at the door when available. For information about locations, ticket prices or to purchase tickets, call (202) 357-3030 or visit www.residentassociates.org.

“Masterworks of Four Centuries” series tickets are $95 for Smithsonian Associates members, $85 for senior members and $115 for non-members. “The Axelrod Quartet” series tickets are $66 for members, $60 for senior members and $84 for non-members.

Note to Editors: Critics may call Valeska Hilbig at (202) 633-3129 to arrange for tickets.

The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Documenting the American experience from Colonial times to the present, the museum looks at growth and change in the United States. The museum is closed for major renovations and will reopen Nov. 21. For information about the museum, please visit http://americanhistory.si.edu or call Smithsonian Information at (202) 633-1000, (202) 633-5285 (TTY).

The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W. For information, visit http://americanart.si.edu/renwick/index.cfm or call (202) 633-1000.

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