Formed in 1967, the Academy Chamber Ensemble draws its membership from London’s Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the world-renowned chamber orchestra founded in 1958 that is now led by Music Director Joshua Bell. The Chamber Ensemble specializes in the works of the larger-scale chamber music repertoire. For its first visit to Athens since 2012, the ensemble plans a performance featuring French composer Jean Francaix’s frisky yet delicate Octet. The program concludes with Beethoven’s rich and shimmering Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20 — an enormously popular piece in the composer’s own lifetime that is still admired as one of the finest septets ever written.

Free admission (tickets required). General admission seating.

The Payne Memorial Concert is named for Dr. William Jackson “Jack” Payne, former Dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, who founded the Franklin College Chamber Music Series in 1978. In honor of his efforts, the Payne Memorial Concert is presented free to the public once each season.

Program:

• HUW WATKINS: New work
• JEAN FRANCAIX: Octet
• BEETHOVEN: Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20