Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Chamber

 

The Ames Piano Quartet is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with their exceptional performances for over four decades. The quartet was founded in 1976 by four faculty members of Iowa State University, namely pianist William David, violinist Theodore Buchholz, violist Nancy Buck, and cellist George Work. The ensemble was named after the city of Ames, Iowa, where the university is located. The quartet's founding members were all accomplished musicians in their own right, with extensive experience performing in various orchestras and ensembles. They came together with the goal of exploring the rich repertoire of piano quartets, which had been largely overlooked by other ensembles at the time. The quartet quickly gained a reputation for their exceptional musicianship and their ability to bring out the unique qualities of each piece they performed. Over the years, the Ames Piano Quartet has undergone some changes in its membership, but its commitment to excellence has remained constant. The quartet's current members are pianist Mei-Hsuan Huang, violinist Mahlon Darlington, violist Jonathan Sturm, and cellist Hannah Holman. Each member brings their own unique perspective and style to the ensemble, resulting in a dynamic and engaging performance. The Ames Piano Quartet has performed extensively throughout the United States and around the world, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards along the way. Some of their most notable performances include appearances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Center in New York City, and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China. One of the quartet's most memorable performances was their 1987 concert at Carnegie Hall, where they performed works by Brahms, Dvorak, and Schumann. The performance was hailed by critics as "a triumph of ensemble playing" and cemented the quartet's reputation as one of the finest classical music ensembles in the world. In addition to their performances, the Ames Piano Quartet has also recorded extensively, with over a dozen albums to their name. Their recordings have received widespread critical acclaim and have been featured on numerous radio programs and television broadcasts. The quartet has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors over the years. In 1982, they were awarded the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the field of chamber music. They have also been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council, among others. Despite their many accomplishments, the Ames Piano Quartet remains committed to their mission of bringing the beauty and complexity of classical music to audiences around the world. They continue to perform and record new works, and their passion for their craft is evident in every note they play.

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