The Ciurlionis Quartet was founded in 1968, the players studying under Professors Paulauskas, Shebalin,Oveharek and Tatrai, members of the Lithuanian, Borodin, Tanayev and Tatrai Quartets. The ensemble was named after Ciurlionis, the originator of Lithuanian professional music, a famous painter and composer.

The Ciurlionis Quartet has given more than three thousand concerts and has performed throughout Europe, East and West and at many international festivals.

The quartet has performed at many world class venues including Gewandhaus, Leipzig; Concertgebouw, Amsterdam; Schauspielhaus, Berlin and London's South Bank.

The quartet has a wide repertoire of compositions representing various epochs and styles and has presented series of all the quartets by Brahms and Bartok.

Much of their repertoire has been recorded for record release and for broadcast.

In 1990, the Cirulionis Quartet was the first to be honoured with the highest award of the Republic of Lithuania - the National Prize.

"... The four performers conquered us with an extraordinarily even sound, dynamic phrasing and splendid ensemble. Their performance was marked by beautiful tone, abundance of colours, subtle nuance and convincing expressiveness...The Ciurlionis is undoubtedly one of the best quartets in the world..." Nurnberger Nachrtchten