Zagreb Quartet

The Zagreb Quartet, founded as the first permanent professional ensemble of its kind in Croatia, gave its debut performance on April 25, 1919. Its original members—Václav Huml (first violin), Milan Graf (second violin), Ladislav Škatula (later Miranov) on viola, and Umberto Fabbri on cello—were all professors at the Zagreb Conservatory.

In its early decades, the quartet underwent numerous personnel changes, including musicians such as Jan Prybyl, Jan Holub, Zlatko Topolski, and Stjepan Šulek. Despite these changes, the ensemble established high performance standards, becoming a cornerstone of Zagreb’s and Croatia’s chamber music tradition.

The quartet’s repertoire initially included classical works by composers like Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, as well as contemporary pieces, with a particular focus on Croatian composers. It regularly performed works by Božidar Širola, Josip Štolcer Slavenski, Milko Kelemen, and Dubravko Detoni, among others.

In 1930–1931, the ensemble embarked on its first international tour to the Czech Republic and Germany, earning critical acclaim. Over the years, the quartet toured extensively, performing in Europe, the United States, the Soviet Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere, often collaborating with prominent soloists.

World War II interrupted the quartet’s activities, but it was revived in 1954 by musicians from the Academical String Quartet. Notable contributors during this period included Josip Klima, who led the group until 1987, and Ante Živković, who performed as the viola player for 37 years. The repertoire expanded during this phase, incorporating contemporary works inspired by the Musical Biennale Zagreb.

In 1987, Goran Končar became the first violinist, initiating another chapter for the quartet. He remained in this position until 2012, working alongside members like Davor Philips (second violin), Hrvoje Philips (viola), and Martin Jordan (cello). During this period, the quartet performed in prestigious venues such as Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Prague’s Rudolfinum, and London’s St. John’s Smith Square. Highlights included performances of Bach’s Art of Fugue and Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Christ, notably presented in Jerusalem’s St. Anne’s crypt.

The group continued its activities into the 21st century, with Martin Krpan joining as first violinist in the 2017/2018 season, alongside Davor Philips, Hrvoje Philips, and Martin Jordan.

The quartet’s discography spans recordings with labels such as Jugoton, RCA, Croatia Records, and Cantus. Their latest album features works by Leoš Janáček and Antonín Dvořák, released by Spona Classics.

The ensemble has received numerous accolades, including the Zagreb City Award (1957, 2001), the Milka Trnina Award, the Vladimir Nazor Lifetime Achievement Award (2009), and others cementing its status as a key institution in Croatian musical life.

Source: Zagreb Quartet