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The 2025–26 Chamber Music season celebrates Artistic Advisor Daniel Hope’s inaugural season, the 300^th anniversary of the German Barn, and includes performances by some of today’s most established and emerging chamber music musicians

Vienna, Virginia (August 12, 2025) – Under the newly appointed Artistic Advisor Daniel Hope, the 2025–26 season of Chamber Music at The Barns showcases a wide range of repertoire and reflects Wolf Trap’s dedication to both established and emerging artists. This season also marks the 300th anniversary of the German Barn, the centerpiece of The Barns at Wolf Trap and one of its two historic structures. Donated by Wolf Trap founder Catherine Filene Shouse to host performances, the German Barn has long served as the heart of the chamber music season.

“The intimacy of The Barns offers a unique setting for chamber music, where the distance between the performer and listener disappears,” said Hope. “I look forward to sharing this magic with Wolf Trap’s chamber community and crafting seasons filled with inspiration, discovery, and joy.”

Kicking off the season on October 9, superstar mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and one of today’s leading pianists, Kristian Bezuidenhout, will perform an all-Schubert program, featuring Schwanengesang (Swan Song) and two works for solo piano: the Impromptu in C minor, Op. 90, No. 1 and Sonata in A major, Op. 120.

On November 16, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will present Viola Celebration, a program spotlighting the viola’s rich, dark, and soulful timbre. The quintet of musicians, violinists Stella Chen and Alexander Sitkovetsky, violists Paul Neubauer and Matthew Lipman, and cellist Jonathan Swenson—will present a one-of-a-kind program that includes two violas in every piece, featuring Beethoven’s Fugue in D major, Op. 137; Vaughan Williams’ Phantasy Quintet; Bowen’s Two Duos in G major for Two Violas; Brett Dean’s Epitaphs; and closing with Mozart’s String Quintet No. 3 in C major, K. 515.

On December 2, world-renowned violinist Gil Shaham and acclaimed pianist Akira Eguchi will be featured in a concert celebrating the 300th anniversary of Wolf Trap’s historic German Barn. Together they will perform a remarkable program from Leclair and Vivaldi to Beethoven and Fauré, music from the years the barn was originally constructed. This special concert will be followed by an elegant dinner supporting Wolf Trap's arts and education programs. Visit wolftrap.org/celebrationdinner for details.

“Daniel Hope’s inaugural season brings a thrilling sense of anticipation to The Barns—there’s truly no better room for chamber music in the region,” said Lee Anne Myslewski, Vice President of Classical and Opera Programming, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. “From Baroque masterpieces to striking contemporary works, this beautifully curated journey through centuries of repertoire, performed by some of today’s brightest talents, is the perfect way to celebrate this extraordinary anniversary.”

In the first concert of the New Year on January 30, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) returns to perform a program that highlights the full range of string artistry and expressive power of the cello and viola. The ensemble—violinists Danbi Um and Julian Rhee, violist Paul Neubauer, and cellists Nicholas Canellakis and Jonathan Swensen—will perform Boccherini’s String Quintet in G minor, Op. 29, No. 6, G. 318; Beethoven’s String Trio in G major, Op. 9, No. 1; Barrière’s Sonata in G major for Two Cellos; and D'Ambrosio’s Suite for Strings, Op. 8.

Grammy Award-winning Imani Winds—flutist Brandon Patrick George, oboist Toyin Spellman-Diaz, clarinetist Mark Dover, bassoonist Monica Ellis, and horn player Kevin Newton—will present a program titled Grooves and Meditations on February 8. Bridging cultures and sounds from around the world, Imani Winds will celebrate the vibrant brilliance of the modern wind quintet performing accessible, but innovative pieces including Valerie Coleman’s Red Clay and Mississippi Delta, Kalevi Aho’s Wind Quintet No. 1, Paquito D’Rivera’s A Little Cuban Waltz, Stevie Wonder’s (arr. Mark Dover) Overjoyed, Fazil Say’s Alevi Dedeler raki masasinda, and Simon Shaheen’s (arr. Jeff Scott) Dance Mediterranea.

Windfest will bring CMS back to The Barns on March 1. Featuring flutist Tara Helen O'Connor, oboist Juri Vallentin, clarinetist David Shifrin, bassoonist Peter Kolkay, horn player David Byrd-Marrow, and pianist Michael Stephen Brown, the program will unite five distinct instruments to explore various blends of timbres. They will perform Emmanuel’s Sonata for Flute, Clarinet, and Piano, Op. 11; R. Strauss’ Andante for Horn and Piano, Op. posth; Czerny’s Andante e Polacca in E Major for Horn and Piano; Klughardt’s Wind Quintet in C major, Op. 79; Jolivet’s Sonatine for Oboe and Bassoon; and Farrenc’s Sextet in C minor, Op. 40.

On March 8, Chamber Music at The Barns new Artistic Advisor violinist Daniel Hope will join his predecessor and friend pianist Wu Han as well as cellist David Finckel for Hope’s debut at Wolf Trap. The program will include Haydn’s Piano Trio in A major, Hob. XV: 18; Beethoven’s Piano Trio No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 1, No. 1; and Dvořák’s Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90, “Dumky.”

On March 27, The Aznavoorian Sisters will host a performance showcasing their mastery of classical duos for cello and piano and works that highlight their family’s Armenian heritage. The evening's program will include Komitas’ Music of Armenia, Debussy’s Cello Sonata in D minor, de Falla’s Suite Populaire Espagnol, Brahms’ Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38, and Paganini’s Variations on One String on a Theme by Rossini “Moses.”

CMS will close the Chamber Music at The Barns season with Quintet Revelations, a program inspired by Schumann’s groundbreaking discovery of the quintet instrumentation. Violinists Chad Hoopes and Richard Lin, violist Milena Pájaro-van de Stadt, cellist Dmitri Atapine, and pianist Wu Han’s program highlights composers from the Romantic era to today who have played a significant role in shaping the form. The program will include Leclair’s Sonata in E major, Op. 12, No. 2; Arensky’s Piano Quintet in D major, Op. 51; Viotti’s Duo in G major for Two Violins, W 4.9; and Saint-Saëns’ Piano Quintet in A minor, Op. 14.

Individual tickets for the 2025–2026 season of Chamber Music at The Barns at Wolf Trap will go on sale to the public on Friday, August 22. Wolf Trap members (donors of $80 and above) may purchase their tickets beginning on August 12, in advance of the public on-sale.

Ticketing and On Sale Information

• Tickets for all announced performances go on sale to the public on Friday, August 22 at 10 a.m. Tickets may be purchased online at wolftrap.org.
• Ticket prices vary by performance and location and are subject to change. See individual performance listings online at Wolf Trap’s website calendar.
• Wolf Trap members have access to exclusive presales and may purchase tickets in advance of the general public. For more information on becoming a member, visit wolftrap.org/membership.

Chamber Music at The Barns Subscription

• Subscribers receive 20% off ticket prices and priority seating.
• Subscription Pricing:
• Prime Orchestra: $377.60 (Regular price $472)
• Prime Balcony: $345.60 (Regular price $432)
• Rear Orchestra: $313.60 (Regular price $392)
• Side Balcony: $281.60 (Regular price $352)

Special Event: 300^th Celebration of the German Barn

• Following the Gil Shaham & Akira Eguchi concert a special dinner will be held to support Wolf Trap’s arts and education programs. Tickets can be purchased at www.wolftrap.org/celebrationdinner.
• The Gil Shaham concert is not included in the subscription series.

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ABOUT WOLF TRAP

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, produces and presents a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington DC area, as well as nationally. Wolf Trap features three performance venues: the outdoor Filene Center including the Meadow Stage, and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and The Barns at Wolf Trap, located down the road from the national park and adjacent to the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. The Filene Center, Meadow Stage, and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods are operated in partnership with the National Park Service and annually showcase an extensive array of diverse artists, ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to classical music, dance, and theatre, as well as multimedia presentations, from May through September. The Barns at Wolf Trap is operated by Wolf Trap Foundation year-round, and during the summer months is home to the Grammy-nominated Wolf Trap Opera, one of America’s outstanding professional training programs for early career opera singers. Wolf Trap’s education programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, and a nationally recognized internship program.

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