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. The Guarneri String Quartet has announced its retirement at the completion of the 2008-09 season. In the coming seasons the quartet will celebrate by doing what it does best - touring extensively throughout the United States as they have for nearly 45 years. These performances also include their annual Metropolitan Museum of Art concert series, instituted in 1965, as well as a collaboration with the Johannes String Quartet.

The Guarneri has been featured on many television and radio specials, documentaries and educational presentations both in North America and abroad. A full-length film entitled High Fidelity - The Guarneri String Quartet was released nationally, to great critical and public acclaim, in the fall of 1989. Among its award-winning recordings are collaborations with such artists as Artur Rubinstein, Pinchas Zukerman; and Boris Kroyt and Mischa Schneider of the Budapest Quartet.

In addition to mastering the finest works in the existing quartet repertoire, the Guarneri String Quartet is committed to performing and popularizing works by today's foremost composers. In the spring of 2008 the quartet, in collaboration with the Johannes String Quartet, will premiere new works by acclaimed American composers William Bolcom and Derek Bermel. The group has also premiered significant works by composers Richard Danielpour and Lukas Foss.

The Quartet's many honors include the first New York Seal of Recognition, honorary Doctorate degrees from the University of South Florida and the State University of New York, and the Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award from Chamber Music America for a lifetime of service and achievement. The Quartet continues their longstanding series and residency at the University of Maryland where they are on the faculty.