The Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra performs the second concert of the 2001-2002 SunTrust Chamber Classics Series this weekend.

Special guests, The Verdehr Duo, will perform Paul Chihara’s “Concerto for Violin and Clarinet,” while Kirk Trevor conducts a selection entitled “Four Sinforonias by Bach,” along with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8.

The Verdehr Duo has established itself in the musical field, performing in 16 European countries, South and Central America, Asia and Australia, along with the United States.

The duo consists of a husband-wife team, Walter Verdehr on violin and Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr on clarinet. Verdehr was the first violinist to receive a doctorate from Julliard School.

The piece the duo will perform is by the living composer Chihara, who is currently the first composer-in-residence of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and a member of the UCLA faculty.

The orchestra’s choice in music seems adequate for the season, as Beethoven premiered the symphony in late fall of 1813.

“Symphony No. 8” has a light-hearted and cheerful tone, which follows the thoughts of musicologists that the even-numbered works of the composer were brighter than the odd-numbered pieces that were more powerful, though often set to a more somber tone.

The performances can be seen twice this weekend: Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $16 to $23 and can be ordered online at www.ksoknox.org or by calling 523-1178.