The Odessa String Quartet—since 1990 known also as the "Harmonies of the World" Ensemble—was founded in 1981 by four distinguished Odessa musicians: violinists Nataliya Litvinova and Leonid Piskun; violist Iya Komarova; and cellist Sergey Scholtz. The ensemble is dedicated primarily to seldom-heard music from the past, as well as to contemporary works, particularly Russian and Soviet composers. At the same time, the ensemble is not afraid to tackle the standard repertory, such as Schubert's "Trout" Quintet, featured here at the Classical Archives.

The ensemble has participated in numerous international music festivals of contemporary music in Russia, Ukraine, as well as Austria, Switzerland, Israel, and the United States. They have recorded several CDs, including three of the music of Alfred Schnittke. They have presented world premiere performances of over fifty contemporary works.

As the selections here demonstrate, the original ensemble calls upon a battery of talented chamber musicians to fulfill the demands of the increasingly broad repertory undertaken. Each member is also active as a section leader in the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra.