Performances take place Sundays at 7:00 p.m. and Mondays at 8:00 p.m. The cost of a full-season subscription is $350. Additional seats may become available for single concerts. Individual ticket sales may be arranged by contacting the Music at Dumbarton Oaks office. The ticket price is $54 per person. All subscription and ticket sales are nonrefundable.
If you wish to subscribe, purchase individual tickets, require further information, or have questions about accessibility, please contact us via email at concerts@doaks.org or by phone at 202-339-6436.
To find out more about performances from past concert seasons, see the Dumbarton Oaks Annual Reports. For information about performing at Dumbarton Oaks, or to be considered for the series, please contact Valerie Stains, artistic director.
2017–2018 Series
De Maeyer-Kende Duo
October 15 & 16, 2017
Praised for interpretive sensitivity and precision, Belgian duo Jolente De Maeyer (violin) and Nikolaas Kende (piano) make their Washington, DC, debut with sonatas by Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven. The two prizewinning artists joined forces in 2002, and continue to triumph at home and abroad. This year, De Maeyer was named Outstanding Young Artist by Belgian National Radio for her recording with Kende of Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata, and the CD won the Gold Label Prize for best chamber music album by Klassiek Centraal (Belgium) in 2016.
Clarice and Sérgio Assad
November 12 & 13, 2017
Clarice Assad, Grammy-nominated vocalist, composer, and pianist, and her father, virtuoso guitarist Sérgio Assad of the legendary Assad Brothers, explore the evolution of samba and classic Brazilian song. “Clarice constantly captivates, whether singing in Portuguese, delivering wordless vocals, or taking to the piano bench, and Sérgio, likewise, manages to seduce with his every gesture on guitar,” says allaboutjazz.com.
Spanish Brass
December 3 & 4, 2017
One of the most dynamic and admired brass groups on the international music scene, Spanish Brass is a lot of fun. Created in 1989 by five Spanish musicians, the group quickly gained renown, setting “the highest standard for brass chamber music” (trumpeter Maurice André). Experience the group’s virtuosity and boundless energy in an attractive holiday program of Baroque classics, beautiful arrangements of traditional carols, and Spanish favorites.
Astrid Schween
January 7 & 8, 2018
New York-born Astrid Schween is an internationally recognized soloist, chamber artist, and teacher. In performance, she dazzles the audience with a “varied palette of tonal colors, wide range of dynamics, and . . . outstanding bow control” (Boston Music Intelligencer). A seasoned chamber musician, she succeeded Joel Krosnick as cellist of the Juilliard String Quartet and joined the Juilliard cello faculty. We are honored to present Astrid Schween at her Washington, DC, recital debut, with a program of works by Debussy, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff.
Voxare String Quartet
February 11 & 12, 2018
With a repertoire spanning five centuries, this extraordinary quartet is “half Russian, half Chicagoan, 100 percent Juilliardian and 400 percent young, enthusiastic, and blessed with individual great instrumental skills" (Concertonet). Composer Ned Rorem calls the Voxare “probably the best American chamber group performing today.” In their Dumbarton Oaks debut, they perform string quartets by Felix Mendelssohn, Mohammed Fairouz, and Aleksandra Vrebalov.
Dénes Várjon
March 18 & 19, 2018
Sensational technique, deep musicality, and a wide range of interests have made pianist Dénes Várjon an exciting and highly regarded musician. First-prize winner at the Piano Competition of Hungarian Radio, the Leó Weiner Chamber Music Competition in Budapest, and the Géza Anda Competition in Zurich, Várjon is a universal musician: excellent soloist, first-class chamber musician, artistic leader of festivals, and highly sought-after piano pedagogue. He offers a program of music by Beethoven, Bartók, Ravel, and Chopin.
The Knights
April 15 & 16, 2018
Flexible in size and repertory, this ensemble founded by Eric and Colin Jacobsen is dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audience and music. In their vibrant performances, both the players’ respect for the classical tradition and their passion for musical discovery are palpable. An audience favorite at Dumbarton Oaks, The Knights have created a thrilling Hungarian-flavored program of works by Brahms, Ligeti, and Taraf De Haidouks.
