The Orava Quartet plays Beethoven

The Orava Quartet, a brief introduction

The Orava Quartet has been hailed by Limelight magazine as “the most exciting young quartet on the block” and predicted by The Australian to become “one of Australia’s proudest cultural exports.” Earning a reputation and devoted following for their thrilling performances, the Quartet – brothers Daniel and Karol Kowalik (violin and cello), violinist David Dalseno and violist Thomas Chawner - bring their unique sound and breathtaking intensity to the classics and less- known jewels of the string quartet canon. Performing together since 2011, the Quartet also performs new works by contemporary Australian composers including Elena Kats-Chernin, Paul Dean, Ross Edwards and more.

Selected by Deutsche Grammophon for its historic, first Australian recording release in 2018, received with widespread critical acclaim, Orava Quartet has performed in North America, Asia, the UAE and New Zealand, working closely with the world-renowned Takács Quartet in the USA and winning top prizes at the 2013 Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition. Brisbane-based, the Quartet perform across Australia, including in Sydney Opera House’ Utzon Music Series, Melbourne Recital Centre, Australian Festival of Chamber Music, for New Zealand Festival, Brisbane and Melbourne Festivals, Queensland Music Festival, VIVID Sydney, and the BBC Proms.

In 2024, Orava Quartet proudly continued in its tenth year as ‘Quartet-in-Residence’ with Camerata. Other festival appearances include a return to Sunshine Coast (QLD), Tyalgum, and Orange Chamber Music Festivals, Bowral Autumn Music Festival (NSW), Coriole Music Festival (SA) and performances for Musica Viva Tasmania, Melbourne Recital Centre - with the world premiere of a string quartet by celebrated Australian composer, Paul Dean - and a collaboration with William Barton for Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra. Orava Quartet proudly plays on Larsen Strings.