Coupled with the Haydn in the first half of the concert will be Britten's First Quartet. "Britten was influenced by Haydn," McFaul said. "That influence is evident in this quartet in the witty 16th-note motives that pass through the different voices."

FSQ has all three of Britten's quartets in its repertoire. "We learned all three of them because we love them," McFaul said. "They are a little neglected, but each one is really a masterpiece in my mind. With their economy in writing, they're more poetic than his orchestral music."

Dvorak's A flat major Quartet stems from the same period as his great B minor Cello Concerto. "The quartet is so lush and orchestral in its writing," McFaul said. "We just love to play it."

In January, the quartet released its latest recording "Voices of Modernism and the String Quartet," with music by Beethoven and Stravinsky, along with two contemporary composers, Ned Rorem and J. Mark Scearce. "It was the most monumental thing we've done," McFaul said.

The ensemble will soon be recording another album which they're expecting will be released by Christmas.

Between now and August, the foursome will maintain their hectic schedule, with short residencies at Sedona, Ariz., and Harrisburg, Pa. They'll also be at their own chamber-music camp in Virginia, where they give concerts and coach promising young musicians.

"We'll be busy until August," McFaul said. "Then we'll get some time off to rejuvenate before the new school year starts."

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If you go . . .

What: The Fry Street Quartet, Madeleine Festival of the Arts and Humanities

Where: Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 E. South Temple

When: Today, 8 p.m.

How much: Free

Web: www.saltlakecathedral.org

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E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com