The Ames Piano Quartet

The Ames Piano Quartet, the resident chamber music ensemble at Iowa State University, holds a unique position in the chamber music field as one of the few piano quartets in the world. The combination of their lush string sound, blended with the orchestral quality of the piano, produces an exquisite and rare sonority. The Washington Post aptly described it as, 'one of the most heavenly combinations of instruments around.' The ensemble has toured throughout the United States, including concerts in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, San Diego, and Washington D.C. Internationally they have performed in Canada, Mexico, France, Austria, and the Far East. Most recently the Quartet spent a week concertizing and teaching in Havana, Cuba, the first American chamber music group to perform there in over forty years. Its members, all present ISU Music Department faculty, include George Work, cellist; William David, pianist; Mahlon Darlington, violinist; and Jonathan Sturm, violist. Since its formation in 1976, the ensemble has recorded eight compact discs, including six for the Dorian label, all of which have received national and international critical acclaim. Fanfare called its CD of the Dvorak quartets, 'one of the best chamber music recordings of the century.' The Los Angeles Times wrote of a recent Ames Piano Quartet concert, 'The four generated nearly limitless excitement. . . arching lyricism, poetic eloquence, and great accuracy.' The French magazine La Cote des Arts commented, 'The Ames [Piano] Quartet has a full vigorous sound, which deeply touches the soul.'