The Kodály Quartet was formed by students from the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest in 1966. After some changes among the members, the Quartet made out its independent performing style based on the renowned Hungarian string quartet tradition.

The Quartet has toured in almost all European countries, the USA, Middle- and South America, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to the standard classical repertoire the Kodály Quartet regularly performs works written by Hungarian composers — Kodály, Bartók, Dohnányi and others — in its programme.

The Quartet has recorded the complete Haydn and Beethoven string quartets, the Debussy and Ravel string quartets, and worked on the Schubert cycle for the Naxos label.

In recognition of its achievements the Kodály Quartet has received the "Ferenc Liszt" Award (1970), "Merited Artist of the Hungarian Republic" (1990) and the "Bartók-Pásztory" Award (1996). The Quartet was given the Classic CD Magazine's Award for the best release of 1993 in the chamber music category (Haydn String Quartets, op. 64).

Members of the Kodály String Quartet

Attila Falvay — was admitted to the Ferenc Liszt Academy at the age of sixteen and pursued his studies under the direction of Prof. Snitkowsky. In 1979 he was awarded the Second Prize at the Szigeti International Violin Competition. The following year he won the First Prize of the Hubay Competition. He completed a post-graduate course conducted by Prof. Josef Sívó at the Academy of Music, Vienna. Falvay joined the Kodály Quartet in 1980.

Hosszú ideig a Budapest Symphony vezető koncertmestere (leader). A vonósnégyes mellett gyakran fellép mint szólista is. Kedvenc időtöltése a vitorlázás. Szenvedélyesen gyűjti a XVI–XVIII. századi rézmetszeteket, és az archív lemezfelvételeket. A jófajta magyar borok kíváló ismerője.

Tamás Szabó — began to study music at the age of seven. He graduated from the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music in 1969. At that time he had already played in the Hungarian State Orchestra where he spent many years. Later he moved to the Budapest Festival Orchestra, where he is the leader of the 2nd violins. During his university years he studied and played chamber music and finally became a member of the Quartet in 1969.

Nagyszerű operatőri képességei vannak, így a kvartett turnéin remek videófelvételeket készít. Merészségét egyik új-zélandi turnéjukon bizonyította, mikor egy paplanernyővel való ereszkedést vállalt egy gyönyörű panorámafelvételért. Kedveli az egzotikus utazásokat. Gasztronómiai specialitásai kitűnőek.

János Fejérvári — completed violin and viola studies at the Ferenc Liszt Academy in Budapest. While studying, he attended chamber music classes conducted by György Kurtág and András Schiff. Between 1981 and 1985 he played at the Budapest Opera as the leader of the viola section. He is a founder member of the Budapest Strings Chamber Orchestra, playing first viola there for many years. He also works as a viola and chamber music professor at the Béla Bartók Conservatory in Budapest.

Gábor Fias — was born in Győr and did his basic music studies there. He attended the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music and was a member of the Ferenc Liszt Chamber Orchestra from 1963 to 1967. He joined the Quartet in 1966 and in 1968 they were the 1st prize winner of the Leo Weiner International Quartet Competition, Budapest. He won the 2nd prize at the ARD Munich Trio Competition in 1969.

Az építészet szerelmese, és kiváló ismerője. Kedvencei a gótikus katedrálisok, melyekről az utazások során nagyszerű ismertetéseket képes adni a kvartett tagjainak. Technikai ismeretei a repülőgépekről igen figyelemreméltóak.

György Éder — studied in Prof. Ede Banda's class at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music. After completing his degree, further studies led him to the USA and Canada (Yale University, 1978; the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts, 1983; University of Wisconsin, 1984–85). For several years he played first cello in the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, later becoming principal cellist of the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Founder member of the Éder String Quartet.

Management

Centrum Management — Kálmán Magyar, Sr. — 178 Oakdene Ave., Teaneck, NJ 07666. Phone: (201) 836-4869; Fax: (201) 836-1590.

Raymond Weiss Artists Management, Inc. — 300 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019-5138. Tel: (212) 581-8478; Fax: (212) 581-8479.

Forrás: kodalyquartet.org (archív oldal, 2000–2001 körüli állapot).