The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble was created in 1967 to perform the larger works of chamber music repertoire with players who customarily work together—instead of the usual string quartet with additional guests. Drawn from the principal players of London’s world-renowned Academy of St. Martin in the Fields chamber orchestra and led by violinist Tomo Keller, the chamber ensemble performs in all shapes and sizes. For this concert, it will perform as an octet and a sextet.

The program will include a new string octet being composed for the ensemble by English composer Sally Beamish, plus Johannes Brahms’ Sextet for Strings No. 2 in G Major, Op. 36, and Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings in E-flat Major, Op. 20.

A Dallas Morning News critic calls the group “an ensemble of first-rate musicians, technically superb, generously expressive, and obviously enjoying themselves.”

In addition to Keller, the ensemble includes violinists Harvey De Souza, Jennifer Godson, and Martin Burgess; violists Robert Smissen and Fiona Bonds; and cellists Stephen Orton and Will Schofield.

The chamber ensemble’s touring commitments are extensive and include regular visits to Europe and North America. Recording contracts with Philips Classics, Hyperion, and Chandos have led to the release of more than thirty albums.

Artistic Viewpoints will not be offered before this performance.