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

 

The Čiurlionis Quartet is not only one of the most inventive, expressive and technically advanced quartets in the country, but also one of the most prominent musical ensembles in Lithuania. For almost four decades the critics have not spared words of praise in describing the Čiurlionis Quartet as one of the leading string ensembles in Europe, and sometimes even in the world. Founded in 1968 and named after the composer, painter and celebrated progenitor of Lithuanian professional music, the Čiurlionis Quartet not only proclaims his name in the world, but also joins in constructing and revealing the Lithuanian cultural identity. In 1989, the ensemble was among the first to receive the prestigious Lithuanian National Arts and Culture Prize.

 

"... 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

 

Up till now the Čiurlionis Quartet has performed around 3700 concerts in Lithuania and further a field. Frequent invitations to perform at the world’s major festivals and concert venues have taken the ensemble on extensive tours. They travelled the length and breadth of Europe as well as to Canada and Japan to appear at the Berliner Festwochen, Pražské jaro, Schleswig–Holstein, Festival van Vlaanderen, Janačkův maj, Moravian Autumn and Meranofest, and to greet the audiences in Leipzig’s Gewandhaus, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Bonn’s Beethovenhaus, Berlin’s Schauspielhaus, Musée d’Orsay in Paris and elsewhere.

 

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

Bergens Tidende

 

Their repertoire is comprised of more than 300 works, with special affinity to the classical and romantic tradition, but also includes contemporary works. The quartet has presented many innovative programmes and series of monograph 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 most part of their extensive repertoire has been recorded by the national and international radio stations and in recording studios, resulting in several CD releases. The Čiurlionis Quartet is currently expanding its perspective as a classical ensemble to include jazz and world music projects. The members of the Quartet play the unique instruments produced by 18th-century Italian masters.

 

"... 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

Among the highlights of the past few seasons was the release, in 2003, of works by Gustav Mahler and Alfred Schnittke, recorded in collaboration with the New-York based pianist Lev Natochenny. The year 2005 was especially successful for the Quartet: they gave concerts in the EXPO 2005 in Aichi, Japan, presented their first VCD at the world’s music market MIDEM 2005 in Cannes, France, and made their debut at the Royal Festival Hall in London. After this concert, the reviewer of Musical Opinion, the Britain’s oldest classical music magazine, had just this to say: “Their playing proved to be a timely reminder to chamber music lovers in London of what genuine quartet playing should be.”