Helene Pohl, First Violin Monique Lapins, Second Violin Gillian Ansell, Viola Rolf Gjelsten, Cello With its dynamic performing style, eloquent communication and beautiful sound the New Zealand String Quartet has forged a major career in the busy international chamber music field, earning the acclaim of critics and the delighted response of audiences. The Quartet has particularly distinguished itself through imaginative programming, insightful interpretations of the string quartet repertoire including cycles of composers' music from Mozart to Berg, and the development of an international audience for important new works from New Zealand composers. Career highlights have included acclaimed debuts in London at Wigmore Hall, in New York at the prestigious Frick Collection and in the famous concert series in Washington’s Library of Congress Coolidge Auditorium. International tours and festival successes have taken the group to Canada and the US for twice-yearly visits as well as to Mexico, Curacao, Korea, Australia, Scotland, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Much-loved by audiences in New Zealand, the engaging musicians of that country’s premier chamber ensemble present over eighty concerts there and overseas each year.