Phillips Concert Series at 75

The Phillips Collection, one of Washington’s most esteemed and intimate art museums, is marking the 75th anniversary of its signature concert series in an artful way, true to the spirit of its founder, art collector and critic Duncan Phillips.

According to Phillips Collection Director of Music Caroline Mousset, who came to the gallery in 2009, the series is about “allowing the artist to have as much freedom as possible.” That means often reconciling tradition and history with the possibilities of new music and musicians, performing in a very special setting, the museum’s exquisite, dark-paneled Music Room.

“We have had many debuts here over the years,” she said. “And we’ve added different kinds of music as time goes on, going beyond but not excluding chamber music, into jazz and contemporary classical music.

“I like to think that the music reflects the art here, and the intentions of Mr. Phillips,” she said. “He was open to new art, but with a consistent spirit that was unique.”

The Sunday series, which opens Oct. 4 with Swiss pianist Olivier Cavé, will celebrate its historic connection to military music ensembles by presenting “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine band on Nov. 8 with a program centered on Olivier Messiaen’s “Quartet for the End of Time.” It will also continue showcasing new and rising stars, including South Korean violinist Ji Young Lim on Nov. 1.

There will be some 30 concerts featured in the Sunday series. Also part of the season are three Thursday concerts and two concerts featuring the works of composers Avner Dorman of Israel, on Dec. 17, and Anna Thorvaldsdottir of Iceland on April 14.

A special occasion will come on Jan. 10 when Toronto-born pianist Stewart Goodyear will present a re-enactment of legendary pianist Glenn Gould’s 1955 U.S. debut at the Phillips.

Mousset sees the musical gatherings at the Phillips as opportunities to create special and serendipitous moments. “Who has not switched on the radio and stumbled upon an unknown piece of music so bewitching that you immediately search out everything by that composer? That’s serendipity, and its power to widen our musical horizons shouldn’t be underestimated, precisely because it hits us with something marvelous when we’re psychologically off guard.”