A famous quartet that has toured Australia, New Zealand and Europe is making its next stop in Happy Valley.

The internationally known Ysaÿe Quartet is coming to Schwab Auditorium tonight at 7:30. Musicians Guillaume Sutre (violin), Luc-Marie Aguera (violin), Miguel da Silva (viola) and Yovan Markovitch (cello) are the sole members of the quartet.

The group formed in 1984 when the string performers were still students at the Paris Conservatoire.

Named after Eugene Ysaÿe (1851-1931), who was a well known violinist and composer, the group got the world's attention in 1988 when it became the first French quartet to win the grand prize at the Evian (now Bordeaux) International Competition.

"There are small tensions [within the quartet], which is normal," celloist Yovan Markovitch said. "It could be over artistic things, points of views or organization. But we have fun."

Originally a pianist at age 7, Markovitch was involved in music through his father, a composer.

Markovitch soon discovered that it was not the piano, but the cello that was his passion.

"It's a big liberty to have only four of us," he said. "We do what we want, which is a big liberty. And we're all really into details."

Previously, the quartet performed here in 2005.

One of those people still impressed by that show is George Trudeau, director of Penn State's Center for the Performing Arts.

"When they performed two seasons ago, it was a very impressive performance," Trudeau said.

He said the musicians do more than just perform when they come to Penn State.

"Chamber music students do a master class [with the quartet]," Trudeau said. "This year, the class was very well received."

State College resident Steven McHale said he has a general appreciation for classical music and students should attend the Ysaÿe Quartet's performance.

"It's incredible music," he said, "and studies do show that listening to classical music while studying can help improve grades."