With two national tours, a brand new festival, stellar collaborations, two new recordings of Australian works and a performance placing Australian music on an international stage, the Australian String Quartet’s (ASQ) 2024 season is formidable. It’s one the quartet is “thrilled” to be presenting.

The Australian String Quartet. Photo © Jacqui Way

“The four of us have delighted in choosing some extraordinary music that we are deeply passionate about,” said violinist Dale Barltrop.

 “We feel exceptionally fortunate to pursue this art form in the footsteps of the fine musicians before us. Our mission to touch the hearts and minds of people across this vast country has given flight to the ASQ, ever since its formation in 1985. That mission remains as strong as ever.”

Vanguard is the ASQ’s first national tour, spanning June and July. It offers a national premiere in Harry Sdraulig’s newly-commissioned String Quartet No. 2 next to Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 12 and Korngold’s String Quartet No. 2 in...