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Carnegie Hall Presents

Kavakos / Shaham / Tamestit / Ferrández / Weilerstein

Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Sonata and Schubert’s String Quintet
Friday, May 15, 2026 8 PM Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
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Leonidas Kavakos, Gil Shaham, Antoine Tamestit, Clemens Hagen, Alisa Weilerstein
Leonidas Kavakos by Marco Borggreve, Gil Shaham by Chris Lee, Antoine Tamestit by Lenaka Creative Visuals, Pablo Ferrández by Mario Wurzburger, Alisa Weilerstein by Evelyn Freja
For one night only, experience five of the world’s leading instrumentalists as a never-before-heard, all-star quintet. They perform two of the chamber repertoire’s resounding masterworks. Beethoven’s mesmerizing “Kreutzer” Sonata is one of the composer’s most popular, with a scope and soloistic virtuosity suggestive of a concerto. Its quintet arrangement—widely believed to be written by Beethoven himself—makes it even richer, offering an additional heft that he supposedly sought for the work. The program also features Schubert’s sole String Quintet, a piece overwhelmingly described as a pinnacle of the art form, and one of the few works ever to match the Kreutzer’s reputation among fans.

Performers

Leonidas Kavakos, Violin
Gil Shaham, Violin
Antoine Tamestit, Viola
Pablo Ferrández, Cello
Alisa Weilerstein, Cello

Program

BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47, "Kreutzer" (arr. for string quintet)

SCHUBERT String Quintet in C Major, D. 956

Event Duration

The printed program will last approximately two hours, including one 20-minute intermission. Please note that there will be no late seating before intermission.

At a Glance

BEETHOVEN  Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47, “Kreutzer”

By rights, this bracingly virtuosic work should be called the “Bridgetower” Sonata, since Beethoven wrote it for the celebrated English violinist George Bridgetower. After the two men had a falling out, however, the composer switched the dedication to the French virtuoso Rodolphe Kreutzer—who, ironically, never played the sonata in public. Some scholars believe that Beethoven himself may have made this posthumously published arrangement for string quintet.

 

SCHUBERT  String Quintet in C Major, D. 956

Composed in 1828, the String Quintet in C Major—for the unusual combination of two violins, viola, and two cellos—was Schubert’s last, and arguably greatest, piece of extended chamber music. In neither form nor content can the work be described as lightweight. Clocking in at just under an hour, it is a work of epic proportions and surpassing intensity, wedded to an irrepressible lyrical impulse.

Bios

Leonidas Kavakos

Leonidas Kavakos is recognized as a violinist and artist of rare quality, acclaimed for his matchless technique, captivating artistry, and superb musicianship. He works frequently with the ...
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Gil Shaham

Gil Shaham is one of the foremost violinists of our time. He is sought-after around the world for concerto appearances with leading orchestras and conductors, and regularly gives recitals ...

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Antoine Tamestit

Antoine Tamestit stands as a singular voice in the world of classical music, redefining what it means to be a viola player in the 21st century. He has captivated audiences and critics ...

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Pablo Ferrández

Prizewinner at the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition and a Sony Classical exclusive artist, Pablo Ferrández is hailed as a “new cello genius” (Le Figaro). ...

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Alisa Weilerstein

Alisa Weilerstein is one of the foremost cellists of our time. Known for her consummate artistry, emotional investment, and rare interpretive depth, she was recognized with a MacArthur ...

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