"I've met somebody on the street with an instrument and said, 'Hey, you want to play quartets?' "

"People keep saying, 'You're losing your audience, they're all dying, and nobody wants to play quartets anymore,' " Nicholas Gordon said.

I play a recital the same way I'd play quartets.

And some of the musicians, especially the string players, enjoy playing quartets informally.

The rest of the opening night program has quartets by Mozart and Milhaud played by the Cavani ensemble.

His hobbies include playing quartets, underwater photography, kayaking, walking and tennis.

I had to make decisions as to whether I should join the choir or arrange to play quartets.

I have been lucky enough to play the great trios and quartets, and I want to keep playing them.

"I like playing quartets," Mr. Galimir said with a chuckle.

In any case, they'll be playing quartets by Mozart, Bartok and Beethoven.