James Brown better watch out. The “hardest working man in show business” has got competition, and they are coming to Ames.

This weekend, the Ames Town and Gown Chamber Music Association will continue its concert series with a presentation of the Leontovych String Quartet.

The concert will take place Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ames City Auditorium.

Since its founding in 1971, the Leontovych String Quartet has gained renown in the music industry. The quartet has performed more than 2,000 concerts and has appeared in music festivals throughout the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Germany and Italy.

Playing before audiences around the world has provided these musicians the opportunity to sample the best of different cultures, said Yuri Mazurkevich, first chair violinist for the quartet.

“We love traveling and experiencing new audiences and new styles of life,” Mazurkevich said.

The Ukrainian group made its debut in America in 1988 with performances at the United Nations, Harvard University and the Music Mountain Festival in Conneticut. Since then, many American cities have become tour stops for the quartet, which plays about 10 shows a month, Mazurkevich said.

In honor of the 200th anniversary of Franz Schubert’s birth (Jan. 31, 1797), Saturday night’s performance will include his “Death and the Maiden” as well as Shostakovich quartets nos. 1 and 8.

Performing works by some of the world’s most famous composers might be viewed as intimidating to lesser musicians. But the experienced Mazurkevich shrugs off any such weight.

“You should always be very convincing and like it no matter what you play,” Mazurkevich said. “I love this kind of music. I also love performing.”

Throughout their careers, the quartet members have recorded more than 30 works for radio broadcasts.

In the former Soviet Union, the quartet recorded for Melodiya Records, and in the United States, they currently record for Greystone Records.

Tickets will be sold at the door for $15. Students are admitted free of charge. A reception with the quartet members will follow.