Performers

 

JONAS TANKEVIČIUS (1st violin)
DARIUS DIKŠAITIS (2nd violin)
GEDIMINAS DAČINSKAS (viola)
SAULIUS LIPČIUS (cello)

"...The four gentlemen conquered us with an uncommonly even sound, dynamic phrasing and splendid ensemble. Their performance was marked by a beautiful tone, meaningful abundance of colour, subtle nuances, and convincing expressiveness. <...> The Čiurlionis Quartet is undoubtedly one the world’s best quartets..."

Nürnberger Nachrichten

 

Founded in 1968 and having given nearly 4000 concerts over the four decades of creative career, today the ČIURLIONIS QUARTET has a reputation of an inventive and technically advanced collective, receiving critical acclaim in Lithuania and abroad.

 

"... After a few years interval we have again listened to the Čiurlionis Quartet. During this time the tone of the quartet has become even more mellow, soft, remarkably rich of colour and capable of achieving a supreme power of expression and sound when required by the nature of the music performed. The music permeates the listener leaving no empty space between the players and the audience. It is hard to believe that four stringed instruments, even though of a very high class, could produce such a powerful sound. That can only be achieved by a world-class quartet…"

Stuttgarter Zeitung

 

The Quartet has performed all across Europe: from Iceland to Russia and from Norway to Italy; it has also toured Canada, UAE, USA, Mexico, Japan and China. The collective has  appeared in such venues as Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Beethovenhaus in Bonn, Schauspielhaus in Berlin, Musée d’Orsay in Paris and many others; it has been invited to perform at numerous prestigious festivals, including the Pražské Jaro, Berliner Festwochen, Festival van Vlaanderen, Janačkuv Mai, Moravian Autumn, Schleswig-Holstein, Meranofest or Europamusikale.

 

"…Čiurlionis Quartet – Wow! The ensemble is flawless and the interpretations sincere and exceptionally precise. The concert was marvellous…"

Bergens Tidende

 

In 2005, the Quartet attracted much attention of the international audiences and media by giving concerts in the EXPO 2005 in Aichi, Japan and the presentation of its VCD at the world’s music market MIDEM 2005 in Cannes, France. Following its debut at the Royal Festival Hall in London, the reviewer of Musical Opinion, the Britain’s oldest classical music magazine, wrote about the Quartet’s exquisite interpretation of music, “proving to be a timely reminder to chamber music lovers in London of what genuine quartet playing should be.”

 

"... From the very first moment the audience was charmed by the ideally even tone of all the instruments. <...> The contours of the theme, the voice leading, the lively rhythms and tempos, the sound effects — all these were expressively conveyed in the proper style. We were simply wonderstruck by the richness of colour. What subtle colours can be created by the hands of really talented artists!..."

Magyar Hírlap

 

The repertoire of the Quartet is comprised of more than 300 works, with special affinity to the classical and romantic tradition. It has presented many innovative programmes and series of portrait concerts devoted to Johannes Brahms, Béla Bartók, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Dmitry Shostakovich, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Latin American composers, Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis and other Lithuanian composers. The Čiurlionis Quartet is currently expanding its perspective as a classical ensemble to include jazz and world music projects. The major part of its extensive repertoire has been recorded by the national and international radio stations and recording studios and released as LP’s and CD’s.

 

The Quartet’s activities over the recent years demonstrate the maturity of the actively performing ensemble and the presence of a clear system of values underlying its unique manner of interpretation. In 1989, the ensemble was among the first to receive the prestigious Lithuanian National Arts and Culture Prize. Members of the Quartet play the unique instruments produced by Italian masters of the eighteenth century. In 2013, the Quartet is going to celebrate its 45th anniversary.