„Together for nearly 45 years now (...) the Guarneri plays as if it were just starting out -- with wonder and excitement for this great literature.“ - Deseret Morning News

The renowned Guarneri String Quartet "is among the most revered and enduring ensembles of its kind in the world" (National Public Radio) and has circled the globe countless times since it was formed in 1964, playing in the most prestigious halls in North and South America, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Now in its fifth decade of performing, the Guarneri String Quartet has during this time shown that it is among chamber music's elite. Few do it better. Few come even close to bringing the same kind of intuition and perceptiveness to their performances. Unity of purpose and a finely honed sense of ensemble play are among the key ingredients in the Guarneri's lasting success. (Edward Reichel, Deseret Morning News)

After nearly 45 years performing together, their relationship has lasted longer than many marriages and they have the kind of symbiotic artistry that only comes from decades of hard work, dedication and love for what they do.
(Sarah D'Esti Miller, Binghampton Press & Sun-Bulletin)

The ensemble's sound, like the ensemble itself, has no peer. The foursome -- Arnold Steinhardt and John Dalley, violins, Michael Tree, viola, and Peter Wiley, cello -- produce a focused yet effortless flow of notes that can change meaning and character in a flash.
(Barbara Zuck, Columbus Dispatch)

In addition to mastering the finest works in the existing quartet repertoire, the Guarneri String Quartet was committed during its career to performing and popularizing works by today's foremost composers. They gave first performances of works written for them by composers such as Richard Danielpour, Lukas Foss, William Bolcom and Derek Bermel.

In January 2004, the Guarneri received the Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award from Chamber Music America. This is CMA's highest honour, given annually to an individual or ensemble for a lifetime of service and achievement in the field. In 1982, Mayor Koch presented the Quartet with the first New York Seal of Recognition. The Quartet was awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees by the University of South Florida (1976) and the State University of New York (1983). In 1992, the Guarneri String Quartet became the only quartet to receive the prestigious Award of Merit from the Association of Performing Arts Presenters in New York City. The Quartet continues their longstanding series and residency at the University of Maryland where they are on the faculty. Several of its recordings for Surrounded by Entertainment, RCA Red Seal, Philips and Arabesque have won international awards.

A full-length film entitled High Fidelity – The Guarneri String Quartet (directed and produced by Allan Miller) - was released nationally in the fall of 1989. The quartet is also the subject of various books including ‘Quartet’ by Helen Drees Ruttencutter (Lippincott & Crowell, 1980), ‘The Art of Quartet Playing: the Guarneri in Conversation with David Blum’ (Alfred A. Knopf, 1986) and Arnold Steinhardt’s ‘Indivisible by Four: A String Quartet in Pursuit of Harmony’ (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998).

The Guarneri String Quartet has announced its retirement at the completion of the 2008-09 season. In their final season the quartet will celebrate its long-lasting career by doing what it does best - touring extensively. Between January 21 and February 3rd of 2009, the quartet will be playing its last European tour.