Two fresh faces join the Australian String Quartet ahead of its national tour.

The Australian String Quartet has announced a new line up days before the start of its national Beethoven tour. With the departure of violinist Anne Horton and cellist Rachael Johnston, the ensemble now welcomes violinist Ioana Tache and cellist Sharon Draper as its new recruits. First violinist Kristian Winther and violist Stephen King remain onboard.

Tache, a recent graduate of the Australian National Academy of Music has eagerly described her new appointment: “It has always been a dream of mine to play in a professional quartet and working with the [ASQ] so far has been wonderful,” she said. “I feel very fortunate to be working with such excellent musicians, and the fact that they’re all such great people makes it all the more rewarding.”

Seasoned cellist Sharon Draper – previously holding a longterm association with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra – returns from a stint overseas to make her return to chamber music.

“Sharon is very well respected among Australian classical music circles. We are thrilled that she’s decided to return to Australia and even more delighted that she’s decided to join our team,” Executive Director of ASQ Angelina Zucco said.

The...