Bartok Quartet

Among the world’s most renowned string quartets, the Bartók Quartet was founded in 1957 as the Komlós Quartet by graduates of the College of Musical Arts in Budapest. The Hungarian ensemble originally consisted of first violinist Péter Komlós, second violinist Sándor Devich, violist Géza Németh, and cellist László MezÅ‘. MezÅ‘’s place was taken by Károly Botvay in 1960, and in 1962 the group changed its name to the Bartók String Quartet.

Their international career began with a first prize at the 1964 String Quartet Competition in Liège, Belgium. Thereafter they performed at festivals all over the world. Their recording of six Bartók concerti for strings in Paris in 1967 won prizes from Italian and German critics. In 1976 MezÅ‘ rejoined the ensemble, while Devich was replaced by Béla Bánfalvi in 1982, who was in turn replaced in 1985 by Géza Hargitai. Although their repertoire continued to emphasize the music of Béla Bartók, their concerts also included works by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and contemporary Hungarian composers.