Yosef Yankelev and William Patterson, violins

Yuri Vasilaki, viola

Ross Harbaugh, cello

The New World String Quartet was the winner of the 1979 Naumburg Chamber Music Award. They formed in 1975 when the four members of the quartet were principal string players in the Grand Rapids Symphony (Michigan). They concertized extensively throughout the United States, appearing with such distinguished guest artists as Walter Trampler, Gilbert Kalish, Grant Johannesen and Samuel Mayes.

In 1980 the New World String Quartet became the first quartet-in-residence at Harvard University.

As of 1983, members were: Curtis J. Macomber and William Patterson, violins; Robert Dan, viola; and Ross T. Harbaugh, cello. These are also the members listed on the quartet's recording of Ben Johnston's String Quartet No. 6. As of 1985, members were: Curtis Macomber and Vahn Armstrong, violins; Robert Dan, viola; and Ross Harbaugh, cello. 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 was awarded a Grand Prix du Disque in 1991 for their recording of the string quartets of Debussy, Ravel, and Henri Dutilleux.

Naumburg Concert, March 10, 1980, Alice Tully Hall Lincoln Center

New World String Quartet, 1979 Chamber Music Award

Yosef Yankelev and William Patterson, violins; Yuri Vasilaki, viola; Ross Harbaugh, cello

Program

Haydn: Op. 77, No. 1

Bartok: Quartet No. 4

Dvoark: Quartet, Op. 105

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Naumburg Concert, April 26, 1983, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center

New World String Quartet, 1979 Chamber Music Award

Curtis Macomber and William Patterson, violins; Robert Dan, viola; Ross Harbaugh, cello

Program

Mozart: Quartet in F Major, K. 590

Ben Johnston: String Quartet No. 6, New York premiere

Wolf: Italian Serenade

Brahms: Quartet in C minor, Op. 51, No. 1

The New World String Quartet presented a second Naumburg concert on April 26, 1983, that included the New York premiere of Ben Johnston's String Quartet. It took part as part of their Naumburg Award-winning recording of the work.

Composer note by Ben Johnston

"In String Quartet No. 6, I undertook the problem of endless melody so fascinating to late nineteenth century composers. Since it seemed to me that this concept never really met successfully the tests to which it was subjected, I was especially anxious to make it succeed in a non-dramatic, non-programmatic context. The melodic phrases are completely elided, avoiding all cadences. The punctuation, the rise and fall, and the climax placement of these lines and accompaniments are controlled by an elaborate application of proportions from the Fibonacci series. The length of the solos and their tempos are strictly proportional and result in a gradual increase of activity up to double the initial tempo."

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‍New World String Quartet in 1983

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