The renowned Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival celebrates its 52nd season of extraordinary summer performances in America’s most enchanting city from July 13 to August 18, 2025.
For over five decades, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival has delivered world-class chamber music performances to the heart of the Southwest, and the 2025 season continues this proud tradition.
This internationally acclaimed festival belongs at the top of your list of “things to do” in Santa Fe in summer 2025. Attending the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival means participating in a City Different cultural tradition that has enthralled audiences for 52 years.
About Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival was conceptualized in 1972 by pianist Alicia Schachter-Rich and music and film producer Sheldon Rich. Inspired during a visit to Santa Fe, the couple envisioned an international chamber music festival with symbiotic high-quality artistry and community engagement.
The Santa Fe Chamber’s inaugural 1973 season featured six concerts at the St. Francis Auditorium, marking the beginning of a cultural institution that continues to thrive today.
Guided by composer, conductor, and artistic director Marc Neikrug since 1998, the festival continues to push boundaries while honoring its roots.
With a reputation for attracting some of the most distinguished musicians and ensembles from around the globe, the festival offers audiences the opportunity to hear beloved classics alongside fresh, contemporary works that infuse tradition with innovation.
The festival has commissioned and premiered more than 100 new compositions from top composers such as Aaron Copland and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich over its five-decade history. The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival champions distinguished and promising living composers and drives creativity in the classical music world.
The festival is an immersive experience that brings audiences into close contact with the artists, the music, and the spirit of collaboration that defines chamber music.
2025 Summer Gala: An Elegant Evening Under the Stars
Kick off the 52nd season of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival in style at Cirque des Sons, a one-of-a-kind opening weekend 2025 Festival Gala celebration on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Held at the award-winning Bishop’s Lodge, just north of downtown Santa Fe, this magical evening blends fine dining, top-shelf cocktails, and enchanting entertainment inspired by The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns.
Bishop’s Lodge, honored by Condé Nast Traveler as the top resort in the U.S. Mountain West (No. 10 in the world), provides a luxurious atmosphere to enjoy the 2025 Festival Gala. Attendees planning to stay for the July 13 season opening concert can take advantage of up to 30% off lodging at Bishop’s Lodge. Early booking is highly recommended.
Cirque des Sons guests will be treated to high-flying circus arts by Wise Fool New Mexico. Plus, bid at a fast-moving exclusive item live auction with proceeds benefiting K–12 music education programs. Tickets are $800; you may purchase up to four tickets at a time online.
Early reservations are strongly recommended as this signature event typically sells out weeks in advance.
Get 2025 Festival Gala tickets now!
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival Artists
The 2025 Festival Artists roster reads like a who’s who of classical music excellence. This summer brings together an extraordinary collection of world-renowned musicians in Santa Fe, including Grammy Award winners, principal players from major orchestras, and celebrated chamber ensembles from across the globe.
The artistic director’s thoughtful programming creates unique combinations of musicians for once-in-a-lifetime collaborative performances you won’t hear anywhere else. For those seeking the best classical music performers or top chamber musicians 2025, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience these artists in intimate, acoustically superb settings.
Must-See Performances & Events: 2025 Festival Season
The 2025 Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival schedule features a curated selection of chamber music masterpieces, contemporary works, and events from internationally-acclaimed artists and rising stars.
SHEPHERD ON THE ROCK
July 13, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Shepherd on the Rock with Grammy winner Todd Levy and debuts from soprano Liv Redpath and pianist George Fu kicks off the 2025 Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. The evening program also includes fiery works by Enescu and Shostakovich, featuring acclaimed violinist Yura Lee, pianist Gilles Vonsattel, and cellist Paul Watkins.
BAM!! INSIGHTS ON THE BRAIN & MUSIC (1/3)
July 14, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Explore the fascinating neuroscience behind music with Princeton’s Dr. Elizabeth H. Margulis. Discover how music immerses us, shapes our thoughts through repetition, and evokes memories, drawing on fMRI research and insights into earworms and the speech-to-song illusion.
SHEPHERD ON THE ROCK
July 14, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Hear Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock with Grammy winner Todd Levy, soprano Liv Redpath, and pianist George Fu. This captivating program also features Enescu’s fiery sonata and Shostakovich’s sublime piano trio, performed by acclaimed artists including violinist Yura Lee, pianist Gilles Vonsattel, and violinist Leila Josefowicz.
RAVEL & SHEPHERD
July 15, 12 – 1:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The Ravel & Shepard program opens with the New Mexico premiere of Sean Shepherd’s Latticework for Violin and Cello. Ran Dank performs Rachmaninoff’s dramatic Piano Sonata No. 2, and Leila Josefowicz and Paul Watkins play Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and Cello.
REDPATH & FU RECITAL
July 16, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Soprano Liv Redpath and pianist George Fu reunite for an intimate recital featuring powerful songs by Schubert, Wolf, Grieg, and Strauss, alongside Debussy’s captivating works inspired by his muse, Marie-Blanche Vasnier.
BEETHOVEN & MENDELSSOHN
July 16, 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Get lost in popular classics by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Schubert at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. The program features Beethoven’s Piano and Winds Quintet, Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata performed by Paul Watkins and Ran Dank, and Mendelssohn’s passionate Piano Trio in C Minor.
GILLES VONSATTEL PIANO RECITAL
July 17, 12 – 1:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Gilles Vonsattel stuns in a solo piano recital featuring three compelling Beethoven sonatas: the early Grande Sonate Op. 7, the tender Op. 90, and the intimate masterpiece of his late period, Op. 101.
SOLO BACH
July 19, 5 – 6:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Bach masterpieces come alive in the expressive power of solo instrumentation performed by Mark Kosower (cello), Yura Lee (violin), and Ran Dank (piano). The program features Cello Suite No. 1, Violin Sonata No. 3, and Keyboard Partita No. 4.
SCHUBERT & KORNGOLD
July 20, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Pianist Juho Pohjonen begins this program with Schubert’s late piano works, followed by his lyrical Duo Sonata with violinist Yura Lee. The evening concludes with Korngold’s lush String Sextet, performed by six festival musicians.
SUMMER YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT ONE
July 21, 10 – 11 a.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Introduce children to the joy of music with conductor Oliver Prezant and festival artists Paul Huang, Orion Weiss, and the Calidore String Quartet, exploring engaging works by Franck and Schumann. Enjoy a meet and greet with the musicians after the concert. This is a free event.
SCHUBERT & KORNGOLD
July 21, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Attend a youthful program featuring Schubert’s poignant late piano pieces and his lyrical Duo Sonata with violinist Yura Lee. The concert concludes with Korngold’s rich, late-Romantic String Sextet, performed by six festival musicians.
JUHO POHJONEN PIANO RECITAL
July 22, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Prepare to be enthralled by a captivating solo piano recital by Juho Pohjonen, featuring works from the 19th to 21st centuries. The program includes Beethoven’s fantasy-like Sonata Op. 27 No. 1 and Liszt’s virtuosic Dante Fantasy, alongside pieces by Linjama and Messiaen.
EMILY POGORELC & JULIUS DRAKE RECITAL
July 23, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Sensational soprano Emily Pogorelc makes her Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival debut with acclaimed pianist Julius Drake. Their program features Mahler’s moving Songs of a Wayfarer, Korngold’s poignant Songs of Farewell, art songs by Wolf, and Britten’s alluring melodies with W. H. Auden’s poem text.
DVORaK DUMKY TRIO
July 23, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Enjoy an intimate piano program with Juho Pohjonen and Orion Weiss, violinist Paul Huang, and cellists Nicholas Canellakis and Mark Kosower in various pairings. Hear Piatti’s Serenade for Two Cellos and Piano, Beethoven’s dramatic Violin Sonata in C Minor, and Dvořák’s beloved Dumky Trio.
PAUL HUANG & ORION WEISS RECITAL
July 24, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Don’t miss Paul Huang and Orion Weiss performing Mozart’s sparkling Sonata in F Major, Prokofiev’s haunting Sonata in F Minor, and Arvo Pärt’s minimalist masterpiece of solace, Spiegel im Spiegel.
ORION WEISS PLAYS THE GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
July 26, 5 – 6 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Award-winning pianist Orion Weiss performs Bach’s immortal Goldberg Variations, a cornerstone of the solo piano repertoire, praised for its brilliance and range of colors.
MOZART & SCHUMANN
July 27, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The Mozart & Schumann program begins with Mozart’s stately Piano and Winds Quintet performed by Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival musicians. The Calidore String Quartet returns with Shostakovich’s intense String Quartet No. 8 and joins Orion Weiss for Schumann’s exuberant Piano Quintet.
SUMMER YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT TWO
July 28, 10 – 11 a.m.
Please check the website.
Conductor Oliver Prezant, pianist Orion Weiss, and the Calidore String Quartet, explore the wonders of music with children by playing Schumann’s engaging Piano Quintet. Enjoy a meet and greet with the artists after the concert. This is a free event.
MOZART & SCHUMANN
July 28, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The Calidore String Quartet returns with Shostakovich’s intense String Quartet No. 8 and Schumann’s exuberant Piano Quintet featuring Orion Weiss. The program begins with Mozart’s stately Piano and Winds Quintet.
CALIDORE STRING QUARTET
July 29, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The “astonishingly life-affirming music-making”of the Calidore String Quartet presents a diverse program featuring Korngold’s post-Romantic String Quartet (drawing from his film scores), Haydn’s delightful String Quartet Op. 76 No. 5, and Caroline Shaw’s enthralling, Haydn-inspired Entr’acte.
ERIKA BAIKOFF & JULIUS DRAKE RECITAL
July 30, 12 – 1:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Award-winning soprano Erika Baikoff makes her festival debut with pianist Julius Drake in a stirring program of 19th-century works. Be swept away by beloved songs by Schubert, a brilliant piece by Liszt, and captivating romances by Tchaikovsky.
BRIDGE & MENDELSSOHN
July 30, 6 – 7:40 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Orion Weiss, Jennifer Frautschi, Felix Fan, and festival musicians deliver Frank Bridge’s eerie piano trio masterpiece alongside Beethoven’s variations on Mozart’s Là ci darem la mano and Mendelssohn’s exuberant String Quintet Op. 87.
MIAMI STRING QUARTET
July 31, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
A festival favorite since 1998, the Miami String Quartet returns to perform Haydn’s stately Emperor Quartet and Erwin Schulhoff’s fiery early 20th-century String Quartet in G Major.
NEW MUSIC WITH THE JACK QUARTET
August 1, 6 – 7 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
JACK Quartet, praised for their impeccable musicianship, makes their highly-anticipated Santa Fe Chamber Musical Festival debut. Hear exciting 21st-century works by Anthony Cheung and Helmut Lachenmann, plus world premieres of festival-commissioned string quartets by rising composers Ania Vu and Tyson Gholston Davis.
RENAISSANCE MUSIC WITH THE JACK QUARTET
August 2, 5 – 6 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Experience a uniquely eclectic program with the “fearless” JACK Quartet, featuring their own realizations of Renaissance and Medieval works, alongside recent pieces by Caleb Burhans and Renaissance-flavored commissions from Juri Seo and Keir GoGwilt.
BARTÓK & BEETHOVEN
August 3, 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The Miami String Quartet joins clarinetist David Shifrin for Weber’s spirited Clarinet Quintet, while Jennifer Frautschi and Shai Wosner perform Bartók’s intoxicating Violin Sonata No. 2. The program also features Beethoven’s seminal String Trio in D Major.
BAM!! INSIGHTS ON THE BRAIN & MUSIC (2/3)
August 4, 12 – 1:00 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino, executive director of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function explores the therapeutic power of music for memory and neurologic function. Discover how music-based interventions can enhance memory, stimulate connections in those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, and improve senior wellness.
BARTÓK & BEETHOVEN
August 4, 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Violinist Jennifer Frautschi and pianist Shai Wosner perform Bartók’s intoxicating Violin Sonata No. 2. The program also includes Beethoven’s seminal String Trio in D Major. The Miami String Quartet joins legendary clarinetist David Shifrin for Weber’s spirited Clarinet Quintet.
SHAI WOSNER PIANO RECITAL
August 5, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Award-winning pianist Shai Wosner, praised for his delicate and beautiful playing, performs beloved works by Bach, Haydn, and Beethoven, including the revolutionary Appassionata Sonata. The program also features George Benjamin’s surprising Relativity Rag.
ESCHER STRING QUARTET
August 6, 12 – 1:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The renowned Escher String Quartet performs Dvořák’s masterful Op. 105 and gives the U.S. premiere of Julian Anderson’s festival-commissioned String Quartet No. 4. The program begins with Mendelssohn’s Op. 81 Andante and Scherzo.
MOZART & DOHNÁNYI
August 6, 6 – 7:40 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Daniel Phillips and Soyeon Kate Lee perform Schumann’s passionate Violin Sonata. The program opens with Mozart’s dark-hued Viola Quintet and concludes with Dohnányi’s stunning Sextet featuring David Shifrin and Stefan Dohr.
COLIN CURRIE PERCUSSION RECITAL
August 7, 2 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Don’t miss the highly anticipated festival debut of Colin Currie, hailed as “the world’s finest and most daring percussionist,” in the festival’s first-ever solo percussion recital. His wide-ranging program includes works by Wallin, Akiho, Howard (U.S. premiere), and more in Santa Fe.
BACH & BIBER
August 9, 5 – 6:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Acclaimed oboist Frank Rosenwein performs Platti’s Sonata, alongside Bach’s Sonata from A Musical Offering, Telemann’s Quartet, and Biber’s expressive Violin Sonata No. 3 with Daniel Phillips for his festival debut.
LIGETI & ENESCU
August 10, 6 – 8 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
Experience major 20th-century works: Bartók’s captivating Contrasts, Ligeti‘s unique Horn Trio Hommage à Brahms with Stefan Dohr, William Hagen, and Kirill Gerstein, and Enescu’s Grand Octet led by Chad Hoopes.
BAM!! Insights on the Brain & Music (3 of 3)
August 11, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Join Dr. Assal Habibi from USC’s Brain and Creativity Institute as she discusses the impact of musical training on child brain development. Learn about longitudinal studies revealing improvements in auditory, cognitive, and executive skills, and the neuroplastic changes observed through MRIs and EEGs in Santa Fe.
BRAHMS HORN TRIO
August 11, 6 – 8 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
Kirill Gerstein, William Hagen, and Stefan Dohr perform Brahm’s Horn Trio alongside Steve Reich’s Mallet Quartet featuring percussionists Colin Currie, Daniel Druckman, Doug Perkins, and Gregory Zuber. The program also includes Dohnányi’s Serenade and the U.S. premiere of Freya Waley-Cohen’s Stone Fruit.
CHAD HOOPES & KATIA SKANAVI RECITAL
August 12, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Don’t miss the final violin-and-piano recital of the festival with Chad Hoopes and Katia Skanavi performing Brahms’s graceful Sonata in A Major and Beethoven’s groundbreaking and virtuosic Kreutzer Sonata.
KIRILL GERSTEIN PIANO RECITAL
August 13, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Kirill Gerstein provides a delicate and haunting piano recital, featuring works inspired by flowers and waltzes, from Schumann’s Blumenstück to Ravel’s La Valse. Gerstein also performs Francisco Coll’s new work, Waltzes Toward Civilization.
MARC NEIKRUG’S THROUGH ROSES
August 13, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
Immerse yourself in a dazzling evening of late-20th-century stage works. Tony winner John Rubinstein stars in and directs Marc Neikrug’s WWII-set “play with music,” Through Roses, and Chatter Ensemble debuts with Peter Maxwell Davies’s avant-garde Eight Songs for a Mad King featuring baritone Michael Hix.
DOVER QUARTET
August 14, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The acclaimed Dover Quartet, hailed as one of the greatest string quartets of the last century, performs Dvořák’s beloved American Quartet and Schumann’s masterful String Quartet in A Minor.
INDIAN MARKET CONCERT
August 15, 6 – 7 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Enjoy a free Indian Market concert featuring Roberto Capocchi performing solo guitar works by Falla, Villa-Lobos, Leo Brouwer, and Marc Neikrug.
BACH DOUBLE VIOLIN CONCERTO
August 16, 6 – 7 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
Prepare for a powerhouse program featuring Boccherini’s lyrical Cello Concerto with Camden Shaw, Bach’s Violin Concerto in A Minor with Joel Link, and the cherished Bach Double Violin Concerto performed by Chad Hoopes and Bryan Lee.
MOZART & BRAHMS
August 17, 6 – 8 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
William Hagen delivers Mozart‘s exquisite String Quintet in D Major and Kirill Gerstein performs Brahms’s grand Piano Quartet in A Major. The program opens with Villa-Lobos’s playful Jet Whistle for flute and cello.
BEETHOVEN & DVOŘÁK
August 18, 6 – 8 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
The festival concludes its 52nd season with Beethoven’s powerful Storm Quintet featuring Ida Kavafian and Dvořák’s sweeping Piano Quartet in E-flat Major with Katia Skanavi.
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Historic Santa Fe Venues: Where Musical Magic Happens
The festival venues are as integral to the experience as the music itself. Each performance space combines historical significance with exceptional acoustics, creating perfect environments for chamber music’s intricate textures and nuances.
St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art
Perhaps the most iconic Santa Fe music venue, this historic 1917 400-seat auditorium features hand-carved vigas (ceiling beams), traditional adobe Pueblo Revival style architecture, and natural acoustics that seem custom-designed for chamber music.
The Lensic Performing Arts Center
This meticulously restored 1931 Spanish Moorish-style theater offers architectural grandeur and acoustic excellence. With its ornate detailing and perfect sightlines, the 821-seat Lensic Performing Arts Center transforms larger ensemble performances into intimate experiences.
Join the Chamber Music Community
The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival thrives because of its passionate supporters and engaged audience. Here’s how you can become part of this vibrant community:
Ticket Options
- Season Subscription Packages: Subscription packages offer the best value for experiencing multiple festival performances, with guaranteed seating and exclusive subscriber events.
- Single Performance Tickets: Buy single tickets for Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival 2025 starting May 1, 2025.
Support the Festival
Support the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and deepen your connection to world-class music. Businesses can amplify their community impact by exploring corporate sponsorship opportunities, demonstrating a commitment to the arts in Santa Fe.
Contact Joseph Hohlfeld, director of development, to donate by phone, ext. 108, email, or mail contributions to:
The Director of Development
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
P.O. Box 2227
Santa Fe, NM, 87504-2227
Feel the Transformative Power of Chamber Music
The 2025 Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival provides transformative and transcendent moments through extraordinary music, performed by world-class artists in magnificent settings.
The festival welcomes you to experience why Santa Fe has become synonymous with summer musical excellence.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness chamber music’s emotional power in one of America’s most beautiful cultural destinations. Explore the full schedule and buy your tickets today.
The 2025 Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival runs July 13 – August 18, with the Summer Gala at Bishop’s Lodge on July 11. For more information on performances, artists, venues, and tickets, visit SantaFeChamberMusic.org.
STORY SPONSORED BY SANTA FE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
