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 genuinely 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 of the string quartet canon.
Selected by Deutsche Grammophon for its historic, first Australian recording release in 2018, received with widespread critical acclaim, Orava Quartet has performed throughout North America, the UAE, and Asia. They worked closely with the world-renowned Takács Quartet in the USA for two years, and won top prizes at the 2013 Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition.
Since returning to Australia, the Quartet performs at major venues and festivals including Sydney Opera House’ Utzon Music Series, VIVID Sydney with Sufjan Stevens, Melbourne Recital Centre, BBC Proms in Melbourne, New Zealand Festival, Musica Viva, Canberra and Queensland Music Festivals. Praise for their live performances include “gut-wrenching.. five stars” (ArtsHub), “one of the most exciting voices in the art music world” (Canberra CityNews), and “Wonderfully nuanced.. achieving both discipline and a rare intimacy” (Sydney Morning Herald).
Based in Brisbane, Orava Quartet is Camerata’s 2019 Artist-in-Residence.