Dénes Várjon & Borodin Quartet Presented by Liszt Academy

Individually, Dénes Várjon and the globe-trotting Borodin Quartet would more than justify a red carpet concert event, not to mention rapid ticket sales, but their combined appearance promises to be one of the most significant events in the concert season. It is completely unnecessary to introduce our pianist pride and joy, one of the most active and profound artists on the Hungarian concert scene, but it may be worth mentioning about the Russian string quartet that they have been operating since 1945. Established at the Moscow conservatory of music, their very first cellist was none other than Mstislav Rostropovich, and their violist Rudolf Barshai. The formation took the name Borodin ten years later. Naturally, since then they have refreshed their membership on several occasions while retaining their exceptional standard. The quartet are particularly proud of the close and productive working relationship they established with Dmitry Shostakovich right after the foundation of the ensemble. This connection made the musicians of the Borodin Quartet lead players in a considerable number of Shostakovich world premieres. Thus it comes as no real surprise that in the wake of the Haydn and Schnittke works, the programme rounds off with Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet.