The Orava Quartet, founded in 2007 by brothers Daniel Kowalik (violin) and Karol Kowalik (cello), Thomas Chawner (viola), and David Dalseno (violin), is one of the most exciting string quartets of its generation. Known for their passionate and engaging performances, the maturity of this now well-established quartet is evident in their many highly acclaimed performances.

In 2018 Orava Quartet was the first Australian string quartet to release an album under the prestigious label Deutsche Grammophon – produced and distributed worldwide by Universal Music Australia. Their first album, featuring music by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Shostakovich and a collaboration with Australian Soprano Greta Bradman, was received to great acclaim, and in 2023 Orava Quartet released their second album under the same label, featuring works by Kilar, Shostakovich, Schulhoff and Howard. In this concert they perform Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 6, his last completed work, written in tribute to his sister Fanny, who had died some months before. Join us to celebrate Orava Quartet’s return to Newcastle.