Atom String Quartet is one of the most original chamber ensembles in the world. It combines the tremendous skills of a classical string quartet with broadly understood improvisation, inspired by Polish folklore, world music, as well as contemporary and classical music. In its repertoire the group constantly blazes new paths, looking for their own sound and formal solutions that escape any classification.

The ensemble was founded in 2010 in Warsaw and consists of:

Dawid Lubowicz – violin

Mateusz Smoczyński – violin

Michał Zaborski – viola

Krzysztof Lenczowski – cello

All musicians received a thorough classical education  – they are graduates of the Warsaw Chopin University of Music. They all compose and successfully lead their own solo projects.

Since winning the Grand Prix at the 13th Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa in 2011, the ensemble has been regularly performing on the most important Polish and international music stages.

The musicians of Atom String Quartet are regularly invited to recording sessions and collaborate with leading Polish and international artists and orchestras. Their musical partners include artists and bands such as: Branford Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Gil Goldstein, Vladislav „Adzik” Sendecki, Mino Cinelu, Paolo Fresu, Leszek Możdżer, Lars Danielsson, Zohar Fresco, Jerzy Maksymiuk, André Ochodlo, Urszula Dudziak, Anna Maria Jopek, Marek Moś, Natalia Kukulska, Kayah, Aga Zaryan, Adam Sztaba, Grzech Piotrowski, Krzysztof Herdzin, Andrzej Smolik, Orkiestra AUKSO, NFM, Orkiestra Symfoniczna Filharmonii Szczecińskiej, Orkiestra NFM Leopoldinum, Sinfonia Varsovia, Sinfonietta Cracovia, Sinfonia Iuventus.

In the 2017/2018 season, Atom String Quartet was artist-in-residence at the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin.

In March 2021, Atom String Quartet, together with pianist Hania Rani, performed Max Richter’s piece „Testament”. Commissioned by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the composition was written and dedicated to the artists as a tribute to Krzysztof Penderecki, who passed away in 2020. The premiere performance was recorded by TVP Kultura.

Discography

The quartet has recorded eight original albums. The first three albums were released by Kayax and contain mainly original compositions by the musicians.

„Fade In” (2011) – the debut album, awarded the “Fryderyk” in the category Jazz Phonographic Debut of the Year.

„Places” (2012) – received the „Fryderyk” for Jazz Album of the Year.

„AtomSPHERE” (2015) – nominated for the “Fryderyk” 2016 in the category Jazz Album of the Year.

„Seifert” (2017) – the fourth album, featuring original interpretations of compositions by the outstanding Polish jazz violinist Zbigniew Seifert. The album was nominated for the „Fryderyk” 2017 in the category Jazz Album of the Year. It was released by the Z. Seifert Foundation.

„Penderecki” (2019) – original arrangements by Atom String Quartet of compositions by Krzysztof Penderecki for an improvising string quartet.

„Essence” (2022) – an album summarizing over 10 years of the ensemble’s history. It includes new versions of pieces from previous albums and three new compositions. Released by Requiem Records.

„UNIVERSUM” (2024) – the seventh, double album, consisting of four string quartets composed by each member of the ensemble. The album is the result of an exclusive contract signed in 2023 with Warner Music. It was nominated for the  „Fryderyk” 2025 award in the category Jazz Album of the Year.

„Christmas with Atom String Quartet” (2025) – 20 Polish Christmas carols arranged by Witold Lutosławski, adapted for an improvising string quartet. All pieces were arranged by Krzysztof Lenczowski, the quartet’s cellist. Each musician enriched them with their own improvisations, presenting their personal vision of Christmas.

In 2021, the ensemble also recorded „Karłowicz Recomposed”. The album was initiated by Dorota Serwa, director of the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin. It features Karłowicz’s songs arranged for improvising string quartet and woodwind quartet. Atom String Quartet performed them together with the Szczecin Philharmonic Wind Quartet. The arrangements were created by ASQ musicians, and the album was released by the Philharmonic.

A particularly important collaboration in the ensemble’s output is with NFM Orkiestra Leopoldinum. Together they recorded two albums:

„Made in Poland” (2017) – featuring compositions by Karol Szymanowski, Grażyna Bacewicz, Mikołaj Górecki, as well as works by Krzysztof Lenczowski and Dawid Lubowicz. The album received the „Fryderyk” award in the category Symphonic and Concert Music Album of the Year.

„Supernova” (2018) – containing premiere compositions written especially for the project by the quartet members, as well as „Concerto Rosso for string quartet and string orchestra” by Hanna Kulenty-Majoor, dedicated to both ensembles. The album received the „Fryderyk” in the category Contemporary Music Album of the Year.

An important place in the ensemble’s discography is also held by live albums with special projects, such as: Leszek Możdżer and Friends „Live in Berlin Philharmonic III”, Grzech Piotrowski World Orchestra „Live in Gdańsk”, String Big Band „Live in Trójka” and Dorota Miśkiewicz „Piano.pl”. Members of Atom String Quartet are also regularly invited to recording sessions of other artists; they can be heard on albums by: Zakopower („Drugie pół”), Kayah („Transoriental Orchestra” and „Gdy pada śnieg”), Natalia Kukulska („Ósmy plan”), Cezariusz Gadzina („The Fifth Element”), Rafał Grząka („Atom Accordion Quintet”), Grażyna Auguścik („Inspired by Lutosławski”), Tomasz Wendt („Behind The Strings”).

Awards

Atom String Quartet has received numerous awards, including: the „Grand Prix of the Melomani Association” in the categories Hope of Melomani (2010) and Ensemble of the Year (2016), „Złote Gęśle” at the 15th Polish Radio New Tradition Folk Festival (2012) and „Mateusz Trójki” (2015) in the category Jazz Music – Event. Since the beginning of their activity, the musicians of Atom String Quartet have consistently ranked highly in the Jazz Top poll of „Jazz Forum” magazine, including multiple first places in the Acoustic Ensemble category.