Who Are The Friends? One of the premier organizations of its kind in the nation, The Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City has inspired lives championing and exploring the Art of Chamber Music for nearly fifty years. We present the world’s leading artists in beautifully curated performances, advocate for creative and engaging programming, provide educational initiatives reaching deep into our community, and work tirelessly to be a good partner in strengthening the cultural life of Greater Kansas City and beyond.
2022-23
The Emerson String Quartet, joined by David Finckel — their cellist for almost 35 years — bids farewell to Kansas City on their last tour.
2021-22
After the departure of president and founder Cynthia Siebert, the FCMKC conducts a national search for new artistic leadership. A new chapter begins under the direction of cellist Dmitri Atapine and pianist Hyeyeon Park.
2020-21
The Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City braves the COVID-19 pandemic by presenting multitude of virtual events.
2019-20
The Rolston String Quartet performs Steve Reich’s Different Trains with a new film created by Spanish filmmaker Beatriz Caravaggio.
2018-19
Pianist Vikingur Ólafsson presents a recital of works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Philip Glass.
2017-18
The Dover Quartet performs for the first time with the FCMKC
2016-17
Pianist Fabio Bidini makes his debut with The Friends.
2015-16
The Bach Collegium Japan makes their FCM debut.
2013-14
The Venice Baroque Orchestra performs with countertenor Philippe Jaroussky in a co-presentation with the Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College.
2012-13
British vocal ensemble Stile Antico makes their FCMKC debut.
2011-12
The Friends of Chamber Music develop its first multi-media production entitled The Darwin Project, one of the first performances to be held at the newly opened Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, as a joint presentation with the Kauffman Center.
2010-11
Chopin Competition Winner Rafał Blechacz makes his Kansas City debut
2009-10
Tafelmusik performs the U.S. debut of their multi-media program The Galileo Project in honor of the 400th anniversary of his invention of the telescope. This brought together the music and scientific community in one of the most exciting and unprecedented artistic ventures ever presented in Kansas City.
2008-09
Chanticleer celebrates its 25th anniversary by commissioning a new work by Chen Yi for themselves and the Shanghai String Quartet. Chen Yi writes From the Path of Beauty. Each of the seven movements honors a specific art form that dominated seven specific Chinese dynasties. The Curator for Chinese Art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art selects photos of art works from the museum’s collection to best represent each of these art forms and are on display at the theater.
