Melbourne Quartet

Through the intimate voice of the string quartet, Diffusion explores a mosaic of folk cultures through the lens Janáček's String Quartet No. 2 "Intimate Letters," Szymanowski's String Quartet No. 2 Op. 56, and Ravel's String Quartet in F Major M. 35. As an ensemble of four nations (Singapore, Canada, United States, and United Kingdom), the Verona Quartet reveals a kaleidoscopic snapshot of cultural migration at the turn of the century.

Following the release of its critically acclaimed debut album on Deutsche Grammophon (Australia) in 2018, the Brisbane-based Orava Quartet is set to release its second album on the famed label. Consisting of members Daniel Kowalik, David Dalseno (violins), Thomas Chawner (viola), and Karol Kowalik (cello), the second album is titled Orawa, and is a personal tribute to the group's late mentor Uzi Wiesel. The title of the new album is named after a work by Polish composer Wojciech Kilar (1932-2013), which appears on this album, and was introduced to brothers Daniel and Karol Kowalik by their father during their childhood, becoming such an intrinsic part of their formative years that it inspired the quartet's name.

This 2014 Onyx release gives violinist James Ehnes an opportunity to present his talents in different contexts, first as the soloist in the Violin Concerto by Aram Khachaturian, and secondly as the leader of the Ehnes String Quartet in performances of Dmitry Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor, and the String Quartet No. 8 in C minor. Naturally, the concerto is a colorful display piece that gives Ehnes the chance to show off his prodigious skills, and he is outstanding in this exciting performance with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth.