The New Hollywood String Quartet (NHSQ) will present the highly anticipated Summer of Angels Chamber Music Festival from July 10 to 13, 2025, at The Huntington’s Rothenberg Hall. This year’s festival pays tribute to the legendary Hollywood String Quartet by performing selections from their celebrated Capitol Records discography, with internationally acclaimed conductor Leonard Slatkin introducing each performance in honor of his parents—violinist Felix Slatkin and cellist Eleanor Aller, founding members of the iconic ensemble.
World-Class Performers Join the NHSQ
Each of the four concerts will feature a unique program and guest appearances by renowned musicians:
Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 PM
Acclaimed pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet joins the NHSQ to open the festival with a program including Borodin’s and Franck’s beloved chamber works.
Friday, July 11 at 7:30 PM
Cellist Alban Gerhardt performs Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major, preceded by the NHSQ’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Quartet No. 1.
Saturday, July 12 at 5:00 PM
Violist and composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama and Alban Gerhardt team up with the NHSQ for Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht, followed by Schumann’s Piano Quintet featuring pianist Olga Zado.
Sunday, July 13 at 5:00 PM
The festival closes with Walton’s Quartet No. 2 and Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F Minor, again featuring Olga Zado on piano.
A Living Tribute to Hollywood’s Musical Legacy
Leonard Slatkin will appear at each performance to introduce the evening’s program, offering personal reflections on the music and its deep ties to his family’s legacy.
In a 2024 review, Los Angeles Times music critic Mark Swed wrote, “The New Hollywood String Quartet takes its inspiration from the famed Hollywood String Quartet… America’s finest.” The festival continues this tradition of excellence while celebrating the influence of studio musicians who shaped both classical music and Hollywood’s golden age.
Experience Music Surrounded by History and Beauty
Held in Rothenberg Hall at The Huntington, the festival provides audiences with not only exquisite performances but also an immersive cultural experience amid the art, architecture, and gardens of one of Southern California’s most iconic venues.
Passes and tickets are available now at www.summerofangels.com.
