With eleven internationally acclaimed compact discs to its credit, the Ames Piano Quartet is the most recorded piano quartet in America, featuring a discography that includes all the masterpieces as well as numerous important works by British, American, Russian and Czech composers on the Dorian, Sono Luminus, Musical Heritage, and Albany labels. Fanfare called its CD of the Dvorák quartets, “one of the best chamber music recordings of the century.”

The combination of their lush string sound, blended with the orchestral quality of the piano, produces an exquisite and rare sonority that The Washington Post aptly described as “one of the most heavenly combinations of instruments around.” The Los Angeles Times concurred, stating, “The four generated nearly limitless excitement, arching lyricism, poetic eloquence, and great accuracy,” while the French magazine La Cote des Arts affirmed, “The Ames Piano Quartet has a full vigorous sound, which deeply touches the soul.”

Since its formation in 1976, 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. In 2003 the Quartet spent a week concertizing and teaching in Havana, Cuba, the first American chamber music group to perform there in over forty years. During 2006, the Quartet toured South Africa with renowned baritone Simon Estes.

The Quartet has actively championed new music, including Dark Rosaleen—Rhapsody on an Air by James Joyce by the eminent American composer Lee Hoiby, written especially for the ensemble, and recorded on their “American” CD. Their additional commitment to re-discover forgotten gems written for their ensemble has brought over a dozen wonderful pieces back onto the concert stage, and makes their performances unique voyages of discovery for their audiences as well.

The Ames Piano Quartet is the resident chamber music ensemble at Iowa State University. Its members include Mahlon Darlington, violin; Jonathan Sturm, viola; George Work, cello; and William David, piano.