The New Hollywood String Quartet (NHSQ) returns to The Huntington’s Rothenberg Hall this summer for the Summer of Angels Chamber Music Festival, running July 10–13, 2025. The four-day celebration pays tribute to the historic Hollywood String Quartet, whose iconic Capitol Records recordings defined a golden era of American chamber music.
Each concert will be introduced by Leonard Slatkin, internationally renowned conductor and son of Hollywood String Quartet members Felix Slatkin and Eleanor Aller. Slatkin will share personal insights, connecting past and present through stories and music.
A Star-Studded Lineup and Timeless Works
The festival opens Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m., with superstar pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet joining the NHSQ to perform masterworks by Borodin and Franck.
On Friday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m., acclaimed cellist Alban Gerhardt joins the ensemble for Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major, preceded by Tchaikovsky’s Quartet No. 1 performed by the NHSQ.
Saturday, July 12 at 5:00 p.m. features a compelling pairing of talent and repertoire: violist and composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama and cellist Alban Gerhardt join the NHSQ for Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht, followed by pianist Olga Zado collaborating on Schumann’s Piano Quintet.
The festival concludes on Sunday, July 13 at 5:00 p.m., with Walton’s Quartet No. 2, followed by Zado returning for a grand finale: Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F Minor, often hailed as the crown jewel of the chamber repertoire.
Honoring a Golden Era of Music
The festival honors not just the artistry but the legacy of the Hollywood String Quartet, whose members were also prolific studio musicians in the 1940s and ’50s. As Los Angeles Times critic Mark Swed noted in 2024, “The golden era of soundtracks is owed in large part to such studio musicians. That’s still true with the New Hollywood.”
A Unique Summer Experience
Presented in the elegant surroundings of The Huntington’s Rothenberg Hall, the Summer of Angels Festival offers audiences a rare blend of world-class music, history, and natural beauty.
Tickets and More Information
Single tickets and festival passes are available now at www.summerofangels.com. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event celebrating chamber music past and present.
