Internationally Celebrated String Quartet, Orava Quartet, Returns To Sydney And Melbourne This October

Australia's Orava Quartet brings their unique brand of youthful intensity and passion to the Sydney Opera House's Utzon Room for one night only, Friday 26 October, performing Haydn, Schulhoff and Debussy in a concert titled 'Czech Fantasy'. Their Melbourne performance, at the Melbourne Recital Centre, will take place on Thursday 25 October

Hailed by The Australian as "the real deal", the Orava Quartet was founded in 2007 by brothers Daniel Kowalik (violin) and Karol Kowalik (cello), Thomas Chawner (viola), and joined in 2011 by David Dalseno (violin). Reviews of their debut album for Deutsche Grammophon and live performances describe the Oravas' playing as "vibrant, exciting and that demonstrates an impressive commitment to a unified concept of sound and musical expression" (Limelight), with a unique beauty of tone and phrasing, "remarkable precision and impressive balances" (ArtsHub), affirming that they are one of the most exciting string quartets in the world.

'Czech Fantasy' comprises Haydn's String Quartet Op. 77, no.1, considered by many to be his finest and dedicated to the young Czech Prince Lobkowitz, and followed by compatriot composer Erwin Schulhoff's Five Pieces for String Quartet, one of his most enduring works for their playful, dance-like beauty. In a fitting finale, to mark the centenary of Debussy's passing, Orava Quartet performs his sublime String Quartet in G minor, a ground-breaking work in its time and one of the best-loved in the repertoire.

Limelight Magazine said of the quartet's rendition of Debussy, "If the Orava Quartet didn't already have every audience member eating out of their hands with the snowballing vibrancy of Debussy's finale, their encore ... sealed the deal."

The first Australian string quartet to sign with Deutsche Grammophon in Australia, Orava Quartet has earned a reputation and devoted following for their visceral and thrilling performances. The Quartet brings their unique sound and breathtaking intensity to the classics of the string quartet canon, making audiences fall in love with these works all over again.

Program:
Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 77, No. 1 'Lobkowitz' (1799)
Erwin Schulhoff: Five Pieces for String Quartet (1923)
Debussy: String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10 (1893)

Sydney Performance
Utzon Room
Sydney Opera House
Friday 26 October 7.30pm-8.45pm
Bookings : Ph 02 9250 7777 or click on the link
Ticket Prices:
$55 + bf child/student
$65 + bf pensioner
$75 + bf general admission

Melbourne Performance
Elizabeth Murdoch Hall
Melbourne Recital Centre
Cnr Southbank Boulevard and Sturt Street
Melbourne
Thursday 25 October 7.00pm-9.00pm
Bookings : Ph 03 9699 3333 or click on the link
Ticket Prices:
$40 + bf child/student
$40 + bf pensioner
$50 + bf general admission