Founded in Warsaw in 1995, the Karol Szymanowski Quartet is among the leading chamber ensembles of its generation. From its earliest days, its members have been united by a shared musical vision and a deep affinity with Polish repertoire, especially the works of the ensemble’s patron, Karol Szymanowski, whose music they find a constant source of inspiration.
The ensemble studied with eminent teachers including Hatto Beyerle, Eberhard Feltz, Walter Levin, and Bernard Greenhouse, as well as members of the legendary Amadeus, Emerson, Juilliard, and Guarneri Quartets. Milestones in its history include performances at Carnegie Hall following a masterclass with Isaac Stern and prizes at international competitions in Weimar, Hanover, Melbourne, Osaka, and Florence. From 2001 to 2004, the quartet took part in the prestigious BBC New Generation Artists scheme.
The Karol Szymanowski Quartet performs at major concert venues and leading festivals worldwide. Its discography ranges from core chamber repertoire to rarely recorded works by Polish and East European composers, including Grażyna Bacewicz, Mieczysław Weinberg, and Ludomir Różycki. Each performance by the quartet offers the audience an intense musical experience, marked by energy, expressive depth, and profound communication through emotions, which have been the ensemble’s hallmarks for three decades.