Levels

Adagio

Andante

Allegro

Vivace

Presto

It is a great joy to present the 2026-27 Barbara and William Karatz Chamber Concert Series, bringing some of the most compelling artists of our time to the Athenaeum. We open the season on October 5th with a solo violin program from the dynamic Johnny Gandelsman, a MacArthur Fellow, violinist in Brooklyn Rider and longtime friend and collaborator. We eagerly welcome back three groups that have been favorites of ours and Athenaeum audiences. On November 16 we’ll feature the Valencia Baryton Project in a compelling program of Haydn and other fun surprises. We’re excited to join the Baumer Quartet on January 10 for one of the masterworks of the chamber repertoire, Brahms’ String Sextet in G, op. 36, and the Formosa Quartet returns on April 19 to close our season with their fascinating American Mirror Project | Refuge. This season also features the Athenaeum debut of cellist Sophie Shao with pianist John Blacklow (March 1), and the superstar “inverted string quartet” Owls (April 5). We hope you’ll find as much to love in this season as we have, and can’t wait to share in these transformative concert experiences with you.

-Kate Hatmaker & Alex Greenbaum, Co-Directors of Chamber Music

The Athenaeum Friends of Chamber Music

The Athenaeum Friends of Chamber Music is a group of individuals who contribute especially to support the Athenaeum’s chamber music programming. The Friends of Chamber Music mission is to ensure that Athenaeum chamber concerts continue to offer a compelling mix of established performers and carefully chosen emerging stars. We present highlights of the beloved canon of chamber music repertoire, enriched by a judicious selection of new compositions and unjustly neglected gems from the past three hundred years.

Your support will play a vital role in ensuring the continued excellence of the Barbara and William Karatz Chamber Concert Series.As a Friend of Chamber Music, you will not only support the vibrant chamber music community but also access the exclusive benefits based on your level of contribution. Friends of Chamber Music is an add-on to your regular Athenaeum membership. If you would like to update your regular membership, please visit ljathenaeum.org/membership for more information.

The Athenaeum is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Please contact the Athenaeum at (858) 454-5872 during normal library hours if you have any questions. 

The Diderot String Quartet concert is generously sponsored by Sally and Einar Gall.

Levels & Benefits