New World String Quartet

The New World String Quartet was a classical music string quartet formed in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, in 1975^[1] and active through the early 1990s. Founding members were: Yosef Yankelev and William Patterson, violins; Yuri Vasilaki, viola; and Ross Harbaugh, cello.^[2] These were also the members in a 1981 Minnesota Public Radio interview and performance.^[3] As of 1983, members were: Curtis J. Macomber and William Patterson, violins; Robert Dan, viola; and Ross T. Harbaugh, cello.^[4][5] These are also the members listed on the quartet's recording of Ben Johnston's String Quartet No. 6.^[6][7] As of 1985, members were: Curtis Macomber and Vahn Armstrong, violins; Robert Dan, viola; and Ross Harbaugh, cello.^[8] Members on recordings in the late 1980s and early 1990s included Curtis Macomber and Vahn Armstrong, violins; Benjamin Simon, viola; and Ross Harbaugh, cello. The quartet also recorded a Brahms piano quintet with Derek Han, piano.

The quartet won the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation Chamber Music award in 1979.^[9] In 1980 the New World String Quartet became the first quartet-in-residence at Harvard University.^[10][11] The quartet was awarded a Grand Prix du Disque in 1991 for their recording of the string quartets of Debussy, Ravel, and Henri Dutilleux.

Discography^[12]

• Ben Johnston: String Quartet No. 6 (1980) on the Walter W. Naumburg Award LP record
• Brahms: String Quartet No. 1 in C-Minor, Op. 51; String Quartet No. 2 in A-Minor, Op. 51
• Brahms: Quintet in F-Minor; String Quartet No.3
• Schubert: String Quartet No.14 in D-minor 'Death and the Maiden'; String Quartet No.9 in G-minor
• French Music For String Quartet: Debussy: String Quartet in G minor; Ravel: String Quartet in F; Dutilleux: Ainsli La Nuit

References