Vilnius String Quartet
For fifty-five years the Vilnius String Quartet, a recipient of several prestigious prizes, has been enjoying the reputation of one of the leading collectives in the cultural life of Lithuania. Its performances have won accolades both in Lithuania and abroad. Having toured around the world, the Quartet has appeared in the world’s top concert halls and festivals. The Vilnius String Quartet has collaborated with both renowned masters and young performers. Its intriguing and remarkable programmes and concert series draw numerous audiences, and introduce the Lithuanian listeners with both masterpieces and lesser-known repertoire. Annually, the Quartet presents new opuses focusing on Lithuanian music having performed more than 100 works by Lithuanian composers (half of them being especially dedicated to the ensemble).

The Boston Globe wrote about the Vilnius String Quartet: ‘The group’s ensemble is virtually flawless… Their sound is quite extraordinary – rich like fine chocolate whose taste dominates the senses but never cloys. There is also intangible oneness that eludes analysis and that, as with the best marriages, is the hallmark of only the most mature and mutually nourishing relationships.’

Ever since its debut in 1965, the quartet has constantly polished its musicianship, to achieve a deep sense of unanimity and a richness of expression that have won it accolades both in Lithuania and abroad, as well as several important honours. The quartet works under the auspices of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, averaging 80 concerts a year, and has a vast repertoire of over 450 works, including the complete string quartets by Haydn and Beethoven, and Mozart’s entire output for string quintet. Their exceptionally rich repertoire includes more than 250 works by living composers.