Many strings to their bow: The Royal String Quartet ‘s debut concert in Ha Noi will celebrate Polish National Day on May 3. — Photo courtesy of Polish Embassy

HA NOI (VNS)— The famed Polish Royal String Quartet (RSQ) will perform their debut concert in Ha Noi next Tuesday, showcasing several compositions from world-famous composers.

Featuring Izabella Szalaj-Zimak (violin), Elwira Przybylowska (violin), Marek Czech (viola), and Michal Pepol (cello), the quartet was previously nominated for the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Chamber Music Award.

Their repertoire combines outstanding classical music with contemporary pieces, bravely pushing musical boundaries.

As well as receiving rave reviews for their interpretations of Beethoven, Karol Szymanowski, Shostakovich, Gorecki, the quartet has also played an important part in promoting lesser known Polish music to the world.

The critical breakthrough in the RSQ's career came with their invitation to join Britain's BBC Radio 3's New Generation Artists scheme (2004-06), which promoted the most talented young musicians from across the world. This involved participation in festivals, recordings and radio broadcasts, as well as collaborations with other participants in the scheme.

The RSQ made the most of this exposure, going on to win several competitions in Casale Monferrato (Italy), Krakow (Poland), Kuhmo (Finland) and Banff (Canada). The quartet also received a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, given to outstanding musicians to help them develop their international careers.

Their first international album was released in January 2009 and was hailed as "Album of the Month" by BBC Music Magazine. Since then, the quartet has performed at prestigious venues as well as music festivals in London, Amsterdam, Manchester, Washington, Bordeaux, Prague, Brussels, Vienna, Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, and Stockholm.

The RSQ was granted the Special Award of the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in recognition of their contribution to Polish culture.

Organised by the Embassy of Poland to Viet Nam, the quartet's performance is a cultural activity to celebrate Polish National Day on May 3. The concert takes place at the Youth Theatre, 11 Ngo Thi Nham Street in Ha Noi. Free tickets can be collected at the Polish Embassy at 3 Chua Mot Cot Street, Tel: (04) 38452027 or at the Goethe Institute, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street after 9am.

The quartet will also play another performance at the Viet Bac College of Art in Thai Nguyen City – about 80km from Ha Noi – at 7pm next Wednesday. Entrance is free. — VNS