May is designated as National Chamber Music Month by Chamber Music America, and there is no better way to celebrate than by listening to chamber music ensembles perform - live or on the radio! National Chamber Music Month celebrates many styles of small ensemble music, including a mix of classical, early, jazz, and world music, with activities that span all 50 states.

“We are so pleased that musicians and concert presenters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are participating again this year,” said Chamber Music America CEO Margaret M. Lioi. “Thousands of audience members will have access to live music in hundreds of communities across the country. This is great cause for celebration, and we applaud all the groups that are making it possible.”

Here in the Austin area, there are a few classical concerts coming up in the remainder of May to get your chamber music fix. Classic Chamber Concert wraps up its 2014-2015 season this weekend with a performance on May 16 at the Georgetown Art Center featuring The Cordova Quartet. They’ll play a program of String Quartets by Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Canadian-American composer Karim Al-Zand. On May 22, Ensemble VIII will perform Monteverdi 1610 Vespers – Music for the Blessed Virgin, a choral masterpiece for chamber choir. Finally, the 2015 Georgetown Festival of the Arts begins May 28, and will feature various small ensembles throughout the weekend.

“Chamber music is so vital, for musicians and audiences. KMFA offers weekly performances with Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and Chamber Music from Lincoln Center, that augment the fantastic live concerts right here in Austin!” said John Clare, KMFA's Content Director and co-founder of the Las Vegas Chamber Music Society.

To learn more about National Chamber Music Month, visit their website.

Chamber Music coming up on KMFA:

May 23

7:30 - Ludwig van Beethoven: String Trio Op.9 No.1
8:40 – Francis Poulenc: Sonata for Flute and Piano

May 24

1:35PM - Fanny Mendelssohn - String Quartet in E-flat Major
4:25PM – Johannes Brahms – Violin Sonata No.1 in G-Major

May 26

10:30AM - W.A. Mozart: Flute Quartet No.3
1:30PM – Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Sonata No.5 “Spring”

May 27

7:15AM – Richard Strauss: Piano Trio in A-Major
1:20PM – Antonin Dvorak: Piano Quintet No.2, Op.81

May 28

08:09AM – Nicolo Paganini: Terzetto Concertante
10:35AM – F.J. Haydn : String Quartet No.46 in f-minor “Razor”