Formed in 1997, Chordos String Quartet derives its name from the Greek word ‘chorde’ – the string. During its relatively short existence the quartet has demonstrated an enduring commitment to promoting the latest in Lithuanian music abroad and bringing the most recent as well as greatest pieces of contemporary repertoire to wide audiences in Lithuania. They were in fact the first in Lithuania to perform quartet pieces by many world-renowned contemporary composers, such as M.Feldman, M.Nyman, G.Crumb, S.Reich, G.Ligeti, etc..

Apart from contemporary works, which normally forms the centrepiece of the quartet’s concert programmes, its extensive repertoire encompasses a rich variety of different styles, epochs and genres, ranging from Johann Sebastian Bach’s cantatas and other baroque composers (the quartet has been specialising in baroque interpretation in a number of seminars) to the joint projects with rock and jazz musicians. Chordos is often found participating in unconventional and innovative projects, which include collaborations with choirs, such as “Jauna muzika” and “Brevis”. The quartet has been regularly performing with many prominent Lithuanian classical musicians, including Z.Karkauskaite (piano), G.Skeryte (soprano), L.Mockunas (saxophone), S.Okrusko (piano) and others. Its recent recording credits also include incidental music for films and theatre.

Since its inception the quartet has been pursuing an active and versatile concert career by participating in a variety of national events and projects, including those organized by the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture and nearly all music festivals in Lithuania (Gaida, Vilnius Festival, Jauna muzika, Permainu muzika, Musical Autumn, etc.). Chordos has been also frequently invited to perform on international tours to various festivals (Maerzmusic, Klangspuren, Musicprotocoll, etc.) and projects in United Kingdom, Germany, France, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Polen, Czech Republik, Latvia, Rusia.

Chordos String Quartet has significantly enriched the musical resources of the Lithuanian National Radio by recording both newly written and classical pieces by Lithuanian and foreign composers. Its continuous collaboration with the living composers has thus far yielded a number of compositions written and dedicated especially for the group.

Chordos String Quartet has been recipient of several state scholarships: the State Scholarship for Young Artists in 1999 and the State Scholarship of the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture in 2001-2003, 2005, 2006.