Join us for an expressive evening of chamber music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the legacy of German Romanticism.

Featuring musicians from the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO), this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery, offering an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Romantic Masterworks

Experience a journey through profound emotion and expressive depth with:

  • Robert Schumann: Märchenbilder (Fairy Tales), Op. 113: A work that represents Schumann at his finest, both expressive and heroic, as he stretches viola and piano to their technical limits.
  • Johannes Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 3, Op. 60: Said to have been inspired by Schumann’s mental struggles, the quartet is both a tour de force for performers and a powerful staple of the chamber music repertoire.

The Performers: SLSO Favorites

WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods has curated this exceptional program, selecting pieces that reflect the WCHOF’s mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The ensemble—including Assistant Concertmaster Hannah Ji, Violist Chris Tantillo, and Cellist Bjorn Ranheim—will bring exquisite and technical depth to these cornerstone works. These three are among the orchestra’s finest representatives, and continue to appear across the country as soloists, chamber musicians, and educators.

Thematic Connection: The Strategic Depths of Chamber Music

Schumann’s Märchenbilder is a series of four miniatures, each with its own character and emotional journey. Much like a chess match, each movement requires profound strategic vision: the performers must anticipate the next emotional shift, balance their parts, and execute precise musical ‘moves’ to convey the full narrative power of the composer’s genius. Join us for a listening experience where technical mastery meets emotional strategy.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

  • 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
  • 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
  • 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

  • Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
  • Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.

Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held within one of the current galleries, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.