After 70 years of playing music, there’s no question as to why retired Iowa State professor Lawrence Burkhalter is calling it quits with his quartet.

Through teaching, conducting, playing solo recitals, as well as a myriad of other activities, Burkhalter has definitely had his hands full over the years.

Despite these accomplishments, The Ames Piano Quartet, which Burkhalter founded 25 years ago, will have to continue playing without him.

“It seemed like a good time to do it [leave the quartet]. There comes a time when you feel you should get out of the way,” said 87-year-old Burkhalter.

Creating music without the pressure of formal performances is something he said he is looking forward to.

Viola player Burkhalter joined his quartet for a final formal performance at the Music Hall Sunday evening.

The concert was followed by a reception for Burkhalter.

Since 1973, The Ames Piano Quartet has released six albums — one with the Musical Heritage Society and five with Dorian Recordings.

The group has given performances all around the world in places such as Italy, England, Hong Kong, France and Austria.

The Ames Piano Quartet has honed its performance skills, all while maintaining duties at ISU. Burkhalter was head of the music department at ISU from 1966 to 1972, after which he stepped down to continue teaching.

He said a piano quartet is often mistaken as having four pianists. In actuality, Burkhalter said, a piano quartet is made up of four musicians playing piano, violin, viola and cello.

The Ames Piano Quartet plays “exclusively music written for that combination of instruments,” Burkhalter said.

The music spans across a broad period ranging from 18th century classical music, through the Romantic period, and into the 20th century. Burkhalter also said the quartet has tried to cover both well-known and lesser-known works.

The quartet’s current lineup also includes ISU faculty members Mahlon Darlington on violin, George Work on cello and William David on piano.

Burkhalter said the quartet’s Sunday night performance might possibly be the one he’ll remember most.

“We hit a home run, and the crowd was good,” he said, adding that another memorable performance was when the group performed in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

“We had to work through an interpreter because we didn’t know Spanish, and we played a Spanish composition,” Burkhalter said. “When we got through, people came up to us and said ‘it’s wonderful you are not limited to one language when you play music.'”

“Our playing crossed international and cultural boundaries,” he added.

Burkhalter said he will miss the feeling of “making gorgeous music and being well-received. You can’t duplicate the feeling of playing for a receptive audience.”