Welcome to the 2025-2026 Season
It is remarkable to reflect on how far Chamber Music Charleston has come in the past 20 years. We started modestly, with only a handful of concerts in the private homes of Downtown Charleston and Kiawah Island, in addition to a couple of performances at local churches. Twenty years later, I am pleased to share with you our 2025-2026 season. Here, you will find an exciting concert season with 12 different programs of music performed by our incredible local musicians alongside exceptional guest artists. We explore repertoire from the most beloved chamber music composers while also introducing lesser-known gems.
Our season-opening extravaganza features guest artists, former and current CMC musicians, and alumni from the CMC TWO program (our educational mentorship program) for music of Bach, Piazzolla, and Mendelssohn. The Salon Series brings such exceptional musicians as Phillip Setzer of the Emerson Quartet and Stefan Jackiw (whom the Boston Globe remarks is “one of the most insightful violinists of his generation”) into the intimate setting of South Carolina Society Hall. And we are especially delighted to introduce the award-winning Isidore Quartet to our Charleston audience as part of a special 20th Anniversary Celebration, which conclude the season.
I hope you enjoy looking through this booklet and exploring all the wonderful music ahead of us – and I look forward to seeing you in the audience!
If you have any questions as you explore the season, you are welcome to email sandra@chambermusiccharleston.org.
Please note: when purchasing the “pick your own subscription” online you only have the option to pick 3, 6, or 9. To order any other quantity, please call (843)763-4941 or use the mail in order form.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
SEASON OPENING EVENT
Chamber Music Charleston celebrates the launch of the extraordinary 20th Anniversary Season with a dynamic concert that brings together guest artists, current and former CMC musicians, and distinguished alumni from the CMC TWO program. he concert opens with a masterpiece of baroque brilliance – Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. The program culminates with Mendelssohn’s virtuosic Octet in E-flat Major, written 200 years ago and hailed as one of the greatest chamber works of all time.
ANDY ARMSTRONG & FRIENDS
On Sunday, December 7, 2025 violinist Stefan Jackiw and clarinetist Yoonah Kim join Andy Armstrong for our December Salon concert. Stefan Jackiw is one of America’s foremost violinists, captivating audiences with playing that combines poetry and purity with impeccable technique. Hailed for playing of “uncommon musical substance” that is “striking for its intelligence and sensitivity” (Boston Globe), Jackiw has appeared as a soloist with the Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, and Philadelphia symphony orchestras, among others. Clarinetist Yoonah Kim is an artist of uncommon musical depth and versatility who enjoys a diverse career as solo clarinetist, chamber musician, orchestral musician, and educator.
THE RED VIOLIN
We welcome violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn and her legendary 1720 “Red Mendelssohn” Stradivarius back to Charleston for an intimate afternoon of chamber music in the historic ballroom of South Carolina Society Hall. The program opens with Schubert’s charming Piano Trio in B-flat Major, D.28 “Sonatensatz”, an early work brimming with youthful energy. We then continue with Florence Price’s evocative Fantasie No. 1 followed by Dvořák’s masterful Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 87, a work filled with vibrant folk rhythms, deep emotion, and radiant melodies.
Curated Subscriptions
Ovation Concerts
CMC’s biggest series bring together accomplished chamber musicians from around the world along with our very own local CMC musicians to perform masterworks of the chamber music repertoire. Performances on Sundays afternoons.
Salon Series
Experience chamber music from the Classical and early Romantic Period in the historic ballroom of South Carolina Society Hall, 72 Meeting Street. Performances at 2 and 4pm, and a reception between the performances,
Chamber Music at the Pearl
Chamber Music Charleston’s newest series at the West Ashley Theater Center’s Pearl Theater brings an exciting mix of music for strings, winds, and piano to West Ashley. Concessions are available for purchase prior to each concert.
Downtown House Concerts
Intimate performances of chamber music for smaller audiences (30-40) in the beautiful homes of Downtown Charleston. A light reception is included with each performance.
Bishop Gadsden House Concerts
Intimate performances of chamber music for smaller audiences (30-46) in the beautiful homes of Bishop Gadsden. A light reception follows each hour-long performance.
