—2008-09 Season—

The Harrington String Quartet is excited to kick off its 27th season with a celebration of Felix Mendelssohn in honor of his bicentennial. James Dunham, renowned violist of the Cleveland Quartet, will join HSQ to perform both of Mendelssohn’s string quintets. The group will then record both pieces as well as the Op. 81 pieces for string quartet for release in 2009. In the spring, look for performances of favorites by Ravel, Shostakovich, Beethoven and Bartok. HSQ also looks forward to performances in other Panhandle communities this season: Goodwell, Okla., on Sept. 21, and Wellington on Oct. 5.

The Harrington String Quartet has enriched the musical community of the Texas Panhandle since 1981. The quartet was established by a generous gift from the late Sybil B. Harrington to benefit West Texas A&M University, Amarillo Symphony Orchestra and the Panhandle community. Throughout its history, the quartet distinguishes itself in performances throughout Texas, the United States, and abroad. Highlights include: winning the 1987 Fischoff National String Quartet Competition; participating in the Amadeus Quartet Seminar in London, England; a 2004 New York debut in Carnegie’s Weill Hall; a Texas tour featuring George Crumb’s Black Angels; and the PBS documentary A Sound Collaboration – The Harrington String Quartet. The quartet has also enjoyed collaborations with world renowned artists including David Shifrin, Pepe Romero, James Dick, William Preucil, James Dunham, Robert Levin, Arthur Rowe, and members of the Cavani, Miró, and Pro Arte String Quartets.

As educators, the quartet has given master classes and educational residencies at Interlochen Arts Academy, Austin Chamber Music Festival, Wichita’s Chamber Music at the Barn, and the New Mexico State University Summer String Institute. The members of the Harrington String Quartet are in residence as faculty members at West Texas A&M University and serve as principal players of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra.

The quartet can be heard on an Albany Records Super Audio CD of the music of Daniel McCarthy.