Esterhazy Quartet - Faculty Ensembles - School of Music

Esterhàzy Quartet

Clockwise from top: Susan Jensen, violin, Eva Szekely, violin, Darry Dolezal, cello, and Leslie Perna, viola

The Esterhazy Quartet, established in 1960, is comprised of Eva Szekely, violin, Susan Jensen, violin, Leslie Perna, viola, and Darry Dolezal, cello. The quartet presents a series of four concerts yearly on campus as well as individual solo recitals and appearances with colleagues on the music faculty. The quartet has performed throughout the United States and tours regularly in South America. It came into prominence through performances on National Public Radio's "Quartessence" series, and records on the Spectrum and CRI labels. In addition to their fine performance tradition, each member is actively involved in many different kinds of teaching, including private students and sponsorship of the Missouri String Project and the Missouri Chamber Music Institute.

For more than three decades, audiences have enjoyed the warmth and elegance that the Esterhazy Quartet brings to its discerning interpretations of the standard and modern string quartet repertoire. Critics have praised the Quartet for its intelligence, refinement and velvety palette of tonal colors.

The Esterhazy Quartet maintains an active touring schedule in the Americas and Europe, including performances for the Mozarteum in Buenos Aires, the Beethoven Society in Santiago de Chile, the Haydn Festspiele in Austria and the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada. They have been featured repeatedly on National Public Radio Broadcasts such as the highly acclaimed "Hear America First" and "Quartessence" series.

The Quartet has appeared as guest artists at Festivals including the Western Arts Festival, the Texas Music Festival and the International Chamber Music Festival in Belém, Brazil. Their recordings can be heard on the CRI and Spectrum labels.

"A grand conception that was presented with complete dignity...triumphantly successful." La Nacion, Buenos Aires

"In Beethoven's Opus 135, [the Esterhazy Quartet] excelled in its euphony, delicateness and humanity. The interlacing of the Scherzo, exact; the warm Theme with Variations, infinite heavenly bliss; and the replies of the Finale, very eloquent." El Mercurio, Santiago de Chile

"The Esterhazy Quartet interpreted the Haydn works in the sensitive and warm manner in which the composer would have wished his music to be heard. It was a great performance!" Daily Journal, Caracas

"The music is full of humor and sophistication. The performers are involved and sensitive. A memorable recording." Repertoire des Disques Compacts, France

Faculty Ensembles in Residence