A particularly tightly knit ensemble, the Jupiter String Quartet consists of violinists Nelson Lee and Meg Freivogel; Meg’s older sister, violist Liz Freivogel; and cellist Daniel McDonough, who is the husband of Meg and brother-in-law of Liz. For their concert Friday at Amherst College’s Buckley Recital Hall, they’ll be joined by violist James Dunham for a performance of Johannes Brahms’ String Quintet No. 2, described as “a breathtaking piece, almost orchestral in conception, creating the effect of far more than five instruments.” Also on the program: Schumann’s Quartet in A major, Op. 41, No. 3 and the Quartet No. 1 of Hungarian composer György Ligeti.
8 p.m. $28 general; $22 seniors; $12 students. amherst.universitytickets.com
A more eclectic program is planned by the Harlem Quartet (pictured) for its concert Saturday at Smith College’s Sweeney Concert Hall. In addition to a helping of the classics —Felix Mendelssohn’s Quartet in E Minor and Edvard Grieg’s Quartet, Op. 27 — the foursome will perform two jazz standards, Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “The Girl from Ipanema” and Dizzy Gillespie’s “Night in Tunisia.”
8 p.m. $35 advance; $38 at the door; $10 students; $5 ages 18 and under. valleyclassicalconcerts.org/tickets