With an afternoon and evening of glorious string quartet music, an immersive virtual reality presentation, an archive of historical photos, and string instruments which aspiring musicians and the curious could try out, this was an anniversary celebration like no other. Most of all, it was a celebration and popularisation of string quartet music.

The establishment in 1985 of the Australian String Quartet by the former South Australian College of Advanced Education was a visionary move intended to promote and deliver the finest quartet music, emphasise Australian composition, and encourage and support the College’s music students. 

The initial members, violinists William Hennessy and Douglas Weiland, violist Keith Crellin and cellist Janis Laurs, all taught at the College, and when Weiland left the quartet a few years later, College graduate Elinor Lea took over his second violin chair. 

When the advanced education sector was disestablished in the early 1990s and the Adelaide campus of SACAE was merged with the University of Adelaide, the ASQ became the quartet-in-residence in the University’s Elder Conservatorium.

The Australian String Quartet in 1986. Photo supplied

The ASQ’s history has not...