Somogyi Quartet
Orchestra, choir, ensemble
Formed
1997
The quartet was formed by former students of the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest in 1997. Its debut was at the Bartók Memorial House in Budapest in the same year.
Next summer the ensemble was invited to the Ravinia Festival (Chicago, IL) where they worked with outstanding quartets like the Tokyo, La Salle, Cleveland, and Emerson quartets. Today, the ensemble is well known all over Hungary and frequently invited to festivals in Europe (Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Austria, Romania, Czech Republik). It is the resident quartet of the Summer Festival of Joinville (France).
Since its first performances the ensemble has been considered as an outstanding performer of contemporary music. Attila Bozay dedicated his 3-rd Quartet to the ensemble. Every year since 1998 the quartet is invited to the Minifestival of Budapest, the most important event for performing new compositions in Hungary. Nevertheless, its repertory ranges from classical works to contemporary pieces.
Hungaroton has released several CD-s featuring the quartet. These recordings are regularly broadcast by the Hungarian Radio. By giving numerous performances for young audience, the quartet actively participates in the musical education of the next generations. They are very grateful for the help of professors of the Liszt Academy such as Ferenc Rados, János Devich, Sándor Devich, and Béla Bánfalvi. The quartet got Artisjus-award in 1999 for outstanding performances of contemporary music.
Next summer the ensemble was invited to the Ravinia Festival (Chicago, IL) where they worked with outstanding quartets like the Tokyo, La Salle, Cleveland, and Emerson quartets. Today, the ensemble is well known all over Hungary and frequently invited to festivals in Europe (Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Austria, Romania, Czech Republik). It is the resident quartet of the Summer Festival of Joinville (France).
Since its first performances the ensemble has been considered as an outstanding performer of contemporary music. Attila Bozay dedicated his 3-rd Quartet to the ensemble. Every year since 1998 the quartet is invited to the Minifestival of Budapest, the most important event for performing new compositions in Hungary. Nevertheless, its repertory ranges from classical works to contemporary pieces.
Hungaroton has released several CD-s featuring the quartet. These recordings are regularly broadcast by the Hungarian Radio. By giving numerous performances for young audience, the quartet actively participates in the musical education of the next generations. They are very grateful for the help of professors of the Liszt Academy such as Ferenc Rados, János Devich, Sándor Devich, and Béla Bánfalvi. The quartet got Artisjus-award in 1999 for outstanding performances of contemporary music.
| Year | Title | Publisher | Code | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 |
Karlins, M. William: Vonósnégyes, Concerto grosso No 1., Négy invenció és egy fúga, Dal szoprán hangra, Reflux, Kindred Spirits
(Karlins, M. William: Quartet for Strings, Concerto grosso No 1., Four Inventions and a Fugue, Song for Soprano, Reflux, Kindred Spirits) |
Hungaroton | HCD 32037 | |
| 2003 |
Bozay, Attila: Három vonósnégyes Opp. 9, 21, 40
(The Three String Quartets Opp. 9, 21, 40) |
Hungaroton | HCD 32117 | |
| 2004 |
Dubrovay László: Magyar hangok
(Dubrovay, László: Hungarian Sounds) |
Hungaroton | HCD 32274 | |
| 2005 |
A 70-es évek kortárs magyar szerzőinek közös művei
(Joint works of contemporary Hungarian composers from the 1970's) |
BMC Records | BMC CD 116 |