The Phillips Collection Announces the 2025–26 Concert Season
The 85th season features premiere performances, meaningful connections with museum exhibitions, and an expanded Leading International Composers series showcasing diverse artists and voices.
Washington, DC—The Phillips Collection marks the 85th season of Phillips Music, the museum’s renowned concert series presenting world-class ensembles and internationally acclaimed composers in the historic Phillips Music Room. This milestone season is the first curated by Jenny Lin, Director of Music since September 2024. New this year, every concert has been crafted to complement the museum’s special exhibitions, further deepening the series’ long-standing tradition of connecting visual art and music. Season subscriptions and single tickets go on sale on August 28 at 12 pm ET, with early access for Phillips members beginning August 18. To purchase tickets and explore the season, visit phillipscollection.org/music.
“Phillips Music enriches and moves audiences in compelling and complementary ways,” says Jonathan P. Binstock, Vradenburg Director & CEO. “Under Jenny’s thoughtful leadership, the series continues to play a critical role in advancing our mission, with its impact further enhanced by deepening connections to the museum’s exhibition program. I look forward to sharing these experiences with our community.”
“It is my great pleasure to welcome audiences to the 85th season of Phillips Music,” states Jenny Lin, Director of Music. “Our programs are designed in harmony with the museum’s exhibitions and, this year especially, will reflect the rich sonic landscapes that shape America’s musical heritage.”
The Phillips joins national efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, with concerts that resonate with the upcoming exhibition Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection (November 8, 2025–February 15, 2026). Additional highlights align with the landmark traveling exhibition, Miró and the United States(March 21–July 5, 2026), exploring the cross-cultural dialogues and artistic inspiration in Joan Miró’s art. A two-part tribute to Philip Glass, featuring five pianists performing his solo work, will resonate with peter campus: there somewhere (January 17–May 3, 2026).
In addition to its thematic connections, the 85th season boasts an exceptional lineup of performers, with more than 60 artists making their Phillips Music debut. Among them are bass-baritone Dashon Burton; pianists Robert Levin, Ya-Fei Chuang, Nelson Goerner, Alessio Bax, and Stephen Drury; violinists Kristin Lee, Scott Yoo, and Alexi Kenney; cellists Camille Thomas and Kian Soltani; guitarist Sean Shibe; and clarinetist Andreas Ottensamer. The season also welcomes acclaimed ensembles including the American Brass Quintet, Brooklyn Rider, Miró Quartet, Calder Quartet, Attacca Quartet, Trio Isimsiz, Trio Céleste, and Toomai String Quintet.
The Leading International Composers series expands this season, spotlighting works and premieres by Gabriela Ortiz (Mexico), Huang Ruo (China), Paul Wiancko (USA), and Francisco Coll (Spain). Among them is the Washington, DC premiere of Ortiz’s Mujer Ángel, a major first-of-its-kind co-commission developed in partnership with Carnegie Hall and other international institutions.
Additional events include a Centennial Concert featuring the music of Academy Award-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, performed by the genre-bending Bang on a Can All-Stars; performances by Cristina Aguilera Flamenco Trio; jazz artists Artifacts and Ethan Iverson; and a homecoming for Washington, DC’s own Matchstick Percussion.
CONCERT SCHEDULE
Concerts begin at 4 pm unless otherwise noted / *Free livestream
Sunday, September 28: American Brass Quintet*
Sunday, October 5: Dashon Burton, bass-baritone, and Lindsay Garritson, piano
Sunday, October 12: Ya-Fei Chuang and Robert Levin, piano
Sunday, October 19: Artifacts, jazz trio
Sunday, October 26: Kristin Lee, violin, and Jun Cho, piano
Sunday, November 2: Leading International Composers: Gabriela Ortiz with Attacca String Quartet
Sunday, November 9: Sean Shibe, electric and acoustic guitar
Sunday, November 16: Ethan Iverson, Herman Burney, and Nasar Abadey, jazz trio
Sunday, November 23: Alessio Bax, piano, Andreas Ottensamer, clarinet, and Kian Soltani, cello
Sunday, December 7: Leading International Composers: Huang Ruo with Members of Ensemble FIRE
Sunday, December 14: Centennial Concert: Bang on a Can All-Stars plays Ryuichi Sakamoto*
Sunday, January 11: Scott Yoo, violin, Alice Dade, flute, and Natalia Bolshakova, piano
Sunday, January 18: Matchstick Percussion
Sunday, January 25: Leading International Composers: Paul Wiancko and Friends
Sunday, February 1 & 8: Philip Glass: Music for Piano
Sunday, February 15: Cuarteto Casals
Sunday, February 22: Toomai String Quintet
Sunday, March 1: Camille Thomas, cello, and Julien Brocal, piano
Sunday, March 8: Nelson Goerner, piano
Sunday, March 15: Trio Céleste
Sunday, March 22: Han Chen, piano, and Roberta Michel, flute
Sunday, March 29: Leading International Composers: Francisco Coll with Trio Isimsiz and Jacob Kellerman, guitar
Sunday, April 12: Stephen Drury, piano
Sunday, April 19: Miró Quartet*
Sunday, April 26: Cristina Aguilera Flamenco Trio*
Sunday, May 3: Calder Quartet
Sunday, May 10: Brooklyn Rider*
TICKETING
The Phillips Collection offers season-long subscriptions to audiences, alongside single tickets and livestreams. Subscriptions and tickets go on sale on August 28 at 12 pm ET. Phillips members receive early access beginning August 18. Due to high demand, when a concert is sold out, limited rush tickets for canceled or unused tickets are released online Fridays at 4 pm. Limited standby tickets are released in-person on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 3 pm Sunday in the admissions lobby. Visit phillipscollection.org/music to learn more.
ABOUT PHILLIPS MUSIC
For more than 80 years, Phillips Music has presented exceptional young musicians alongside an international roster of recognized performers in the intimate, art-filled setting of the museum’s Music Room. The Sunday Concerts series at The Phillips Collection is one of the longest-running music series in Washington, DC, originally managed by Duncan Phillips’s assistant, Elmira Bier, who served as the first Director of Music at The Phillips Collection. Over the decades, the series has welcomed legendary artists such as Ralph Kirkpatrick, Nadia Boulanger, Jessye Norman, Leon Fleisher, Gary Graffman, Emanuel Ax, Lynn Harrell, and Hilary Hahn. The program has also showcased rising stars, including winners of major international competitions such as the Maryland International, Washington International, and Queen Elizabeth Competitions. A renowned space for international chamber music, the Sunday Concerts series offers imaginative programming of the classics, while the Leading International Composers series presents the best of new music.
IMAGE GALLERY High-resolution press images are available upon request. Please contact lcantrell@phillipscollection.org.
IMAGES: (L to R; top row to bottom): Dashon Burton (Photo: Hunter Hart); Lindsay Garritson; Miró Quartet (Photo: Michael Thad Carter); Gabriela Ortiz (Photo: Mara Arteaga); Bang on a Can All-Stars (Photo: Peter Sterling); American Brass Quintet (Photo: Matt Dine); Artifacts (Photo: Liina Raud); Cristina Aguilera Flamenco Trio; Paul Wiancko (Photo: Charina Pitzel); Han Chen; Roberta Michel (Photo: Manuela Rana); Sean Shibe (Photo: Kaupo Kikkas).
ABOUT THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION
Founded in 1921, The Phillips Collection is a welcoming home for all where the vision and spirit of artists thrive in intimate settings. As the first museum of modern art in the United States, the Phillips houses one of the world’s most celebrated Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and modern art collections, and continues to grow its permanent collection with the work of important living artists. Its distinctive domestically scaled architecture combines three structures built over more than 125 years, among them the former home of the founders, Duncan and Marjorie Phillips. The Phillips’s impact extends nationally and internationally through its diverse, scholarly exhibitions; award-winning education programs for educators, students, and adults; and renowned Phillips Music series. Popular and impactful programs include those focused on art and wellness, its festive monthly Phillips after 5 events, and intimate Living Room talks. Through authentic programs and partnerships at Phillips@THEARC, the museum’s satellite location in Southeast DC, the Phillips is able to extend its reach into Wards 7 and 8 and Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Phillips Collection is a private, non-government museum, supported primarily by donations.