Since 1976, the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society’s exhibitions, concerts, tours, broadcasts, recordings and educational programs have brought the Smithsonian’s priceless collection of musical instruments to life for hundreds of thousands in the Washington area and millions of people all over the world.

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Upcoming Concerts

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 7:30 pm

Masterworks IV

The Smithsonian Chamber Players:

Marc Destrubé, violin; Paolo Pandolfo, viola da gamba, Kenneth Slowik, harpsichord

Jean-Philippe Rameau: Pièces de clavecin en concerts

Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 7:30 pm

Masterworks V

The Smithsonian Chamber Players:
Ian Swensen, violin; Loretta O’Sullivan, violoncello; Kenneth Slowik, fortepiano

Sonatas and trios of Haydn, Mozart, & Beethoven

Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm

Masterworks VI

William Sharp, baritone; Kenneth Slowik, fortepiano

Robert Schumann: Eichendorff Liederkreis, Op. 39; Dichterliebe, Op. 48

More Concerts

Great Instruments with Great Stories

Cello by Luigi Rovatti, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1915
Rovatti was born in Italy in 1861 and trained there as a pupil of Joseph and Enrico Rocca. He emigrated to Argentina in 1885, producing about 1,000 violins,... More
The “Servais" Cello
The Stradivarius cello of 1701, known as the Servais, is unquestionably among the jewels of the Smithsonian’s collection. It is a magnificent instrument... More
Violin from the shop of Amati, ca. 1670
This beautiful violin bears a label identifying it as the work of Nicolò Amati, the son of Hieronymus and nephew of Antonio Amati, who are known as... More