The acclaimed Australian String Quartet has announced it will launch both of its national tours for 2026 in Perth, highlighting the ensemble's strong connection with Western Australian audiences. The Adelaide-based group will perform at the iconic WA Museum Boola Bardip's Hackett Hall, a venue known for its historic atmosphere and the suspended skeleton of Otto the Blue Whale.
A Warm Welcome in Perth
Cellist Michael Dahlenburg expressed the quartet's enthusiasm for starting their tours in Western Australia. "It is always a pleasure to begin our tours with our wonderful Perth audiences, in the presence of Otto the Blue Whale at WA Museum Boola Bardip's Hackett Hall," Dahlenburg said. He noted that the heritage building's collection of artistic and natural treasures provides a unique backdrop. "The warmth and generosity of spirit of Perth audiences sets our tours off on the right foot," he added, emphasising the special relationship between the musicians and local concertgoers.
First Tour Program Details
The first tour will open in Perth on May 11, 2026, featuring a diverse program that blends contemporary Australian composition with classical masterpieces. The concert will begin with String Quartet No.1, Interwoven by contemporary Australian composer Elizabeth Younan, described as "a shimmering tapestry" of sound. This modern work will be followed by Haydn's definitive String Quartet in A Major, Opus 20, No.6, transporting listeners back to the era when the quartet's matching Guadagnini instruments were first crafted.
The program then moves to Prokofiev's folkloric String Quartet No.2 in F major, a wartime composition that brings the "colour, grit and lyricism" of the 20th century to life. The first tour concludes with Clara Schumann's Variations on a theme by Robert Schumann, offering romance and Romantic expression in homage to her husband.
Second Tour Highlights
The second national tour will commence in Perth on October 12, 2026, opening with Satellites by Irish-born composer Garth Knox. This contemporary piece is characterised as "a kaleidoscopic exploration of sound and texture that expands the sonic possibilities of the string quartet." Following this innovative work, the program features Bartok's String Quartet No.4, which delves into "a playground of Hungarian folk influences and raw emotion."
The season culminates with Beethoven's monumental String Quartet in B-flat major, Opus 130, and Grosse Fuge, Opus 133. Originally conceived as a single piece, these works were later separated and together represent the last of Beethoven's completed compositions, leaving an indelible mark on the string quartet repertoire.
Continuing a Musical Legacy
The Australian String Quartet, consisting of cellist Michael Dahlenburg, violist Chris Cartlidge, and violinists Dale Barltrop and Francesca Hiew, continues to build its reputation through these carefully curated national tours. By launching both 2026 tours in Perth, the ensemble acknowledges the significant support and appreciation from Western Australian audiences, reinforcing Perth's status as a key cultural destination for classical music performances in Australia.
