Shortly after his first successes as a concert pianist, Dohnányi brought out his First Quartet in 1899. It is a mature work, acknowledging the influence of Brahms whilst also adopting writing that hints strongly at Dohnányi’s own Hungarian origins. It ranges widely and expressively, including both hymnal and folk elements in a richly rewarding way.

The Third Quartet of 1926 is more harmonically questing and structurally sophisticated, and filled with vibrant melodies.

The Aviv String Quartet has been widely praised internationally in music of a similar vintage – for instance Schulhoff’s chamber music. Founded in Israel and a decade into its expanding musical life, the Aviv Quartet has counted among its mentors Isaac Stern, the Alban Berg Quartet, Walter Levin, Henry Meyer and Ben-Zion Shamir, and has collaborated with artists such as Yefim Bronfman, Elisso Virzaladze, Brigitte Engerer, Martin Frost, Boris Petrushansky, Torleif Thedeen, Boris Berman, Pierre-Laurent Aimard and many others.