The Bartók Quartet is a Hungarian
string quartet ensemble, founded in 1963 in Budapest as the successor ensemble of the
Komlós Quartet (1957–63).
Their repertoire includes especially works of the
Viennese Classicism and
Béla Bartók as well as contemporary Hungarian composers.
History
The Bartók Quartet is the successor ensemble of the Komlós Quartet which was founded in 1957 by students of the
Franz Liszt Academy of Music.[1]
In 1963, the ensemble was renamed the Bartók Quartet and had its first great success when it won 1st prize at the 1964 International String Quartet Competition in
Liège.[2]
The Bartók Quartet has participated in international
music festivals, as well as outstanding ceremonies such as the opening of the world-famous
Sydney Opera House and
Human Rights Day in New York City at the
UN.
The recording of the six Bartók String Quartets[4] (
Erato Records/
EMI) was awarded the "Grand Prix" by European critics. Further recordings followed, including the complete string quartets of
Beethoven and
Brahms.