Schedule for the CMSF 2026 Season Announced

Chamber Music San Francisco reveals lineup of 10 recitals across Herbst Theatre and Presidio Theatre

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:07pm by Ben Kaplan

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Chamber Music San Francisco (CMSF) has announced the schedule for its 2026 season, which will feature 10 recitals - 6 at Herbst Theatre and 4 at the Presidio Theatre. The season will include performances by renowned artists such as the Aris Quartet, pianist Tiffany Poon, violinist Stella Chan's trio, pianist Angela Hewitt, the Quatuor Danel string quartet, violinist Nathan Meltzer, and the Carion Wind Quintet. The season will run from February to May 2026, with most concerts taking place on Sunday afternoons at 3pm, except for one Saturday evening performance.

Why it matters

CMSF has been a cornerstone of San Francisco's classical music scene for decades, bringing world-class chamber music performances to the city. The 2026 season lineup continues this tradition, offering a diverse program that showcases both established artists and rising talents in the genre. The mix of venues - Herbst Theatre and the Presidio Theatre - also provides accessibility to audiences across different neighborhoods in the Bay Area.

The details

The 2026 CMSF season will open on February 22 at Herbst Theatre with a performance by the Aris Quartet, who will frame their program with quartets by Beethoven and Brahms, and also include Shostakovich's Eighth Quartet. Other highlights include pianist Tiffany Poon's return engagement on March 1, the US premiere of Andreia Pinto-Correia's 'Cantares' by the Stella Chan Trio on March 8, and pianist Angela Hewitt's exploration of works by Couperin and Ravel on March 15. The season will conclude in May with performances by pianist Olga Kern with the Dalí Quartet, and the Escher Quartet joined by flutist Brandon Patrick George.

  • The 2026 CMSF season will run from February to May 2026.
  • Most concerts will take place on Sunday afternoons at 3pm, except for one Saturday evening performance on March 28 at 7:30pm.

The players

Chamber Music San Francisco (CMSF)

A non-profit organization that has been presenting world-class chamber music performances in the San Francisco Bay Area for decades.

Aris Quartet

A string quartet making its return to CMSF, featuring violinists Anna Katharina Wildermuth and Noémi Zipperling, violist Caspar Vinzens, and cellist Lukas Sieber.

Tiffany Poon

A Hong Kong-born pianist who made her CMSF debut in 2022 and is returning for another performance in the 2026 season.

Stella Chan Trio

A trio formed in 2023 featuring violinist Stella Chan, violist Matthew Lipman, and cellist Brannon Cho, who will present the US premiere of Andreia Pinto-Correia's 'Cantares'.

Angela Hewitt

A renowned pianist who will present a program reflecting on the works of François Couperin, including selections from Ordre 6ème de clavecin and Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The CMSF 2026 season promises to be an exciting and diverse lineup of chamber music performances, showcasing both established artists and rising talents in the genre. The mix of venues and performance times will help make these concerts accessible to a wide range of classical music fans across the Bay Area.