Quartet history
Quartet History

The Kazakh Quartet, also known as the Gaziza Zhubanova State String Quartet, is Kazakhstan’s leading chamber ensemble and one of the country’s foremost ambassadors of classical music. Renowned for its artistic excellence, refined musicianship and distinctive sound, the quartet has established itself among Central Asia’s most respected chamber ensembles through acclaimed performances, international awards, recordings and collaborations with distinguished musicians worldwide.
The quartet is the resident ensemble of the Erkegali Rakhmadiyev State Academic Philharmonic in Astana. Its Artistic Director and permanent cellist is Yernar Myntayev, Honoured Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Founded in 1988 and named after the eminent Kazakh composer Gaziza Zhubanova, the ensemble was granted official State Quartet status in 1995 in recognition of its artistic achievements.
The quartet’s artistic development has been shaped by close ties with the great European and Russian chamber music traditions. It studied with Valentin Berlinsky of the Borodin Quartet in Moscow and later with Rainer Schmidt of the Hagen Quartet in Madrid and Basel. These artistic relationships have had a lasting influence on the ensemble’s musical identity.
In 2019, the quartet performed a special concert in honour of Valentin Berlinsky, paying tribute to his profound influence on its artistic development.
A defining milestone in the ensemble’s recent history was its performance of the complete cycle of sixteen Beethoven string quartets, presented over two seasons in celebration of the composer’s 250th anniversary. This ambitious project marked a major artistic achievement in the quartet’s development and international profile.
In more recent seasons, the quartet has turned its focus to the quartets of Béla Bartók, alongside world premieres of works written specifically for the ensemble by contemporary Kazakh composers.
The quartet has received numerous distinctions at international competitions, including awards in Moscow, Osaka, Italy and Sicily, as well as the Grand Prix and President’s Cup at Kazakhstan’s Shabyt International Creative Competition. While studying at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía in Madrid, the ensemble received the Diploma for Best Chamber Ensemble, presented personally by Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain.
The quartet performs extensively in Kazakhstan and internationally, appearing at major concert halls and festivals across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Notable venues include the Royal Opera House in Doha, the Recital Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory, the Belarusian State Philharmonic, the Mendelssohn International Festival in Hamburg, and the La Clé des Portes Festival in France.
Recent international highlights include performances at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Salle Cortot in Paris and the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid.
The quartet’s repertoire spans more than three centuries, from Classical and Romantic masterpieces to contemporary works and the finest music by Kazakh composers. It has introduced Kazakh audiences to landmark works including Alban Berg’s Lyric Suite and Beethoven’s complete string quartet cycle.
Dedicated to promoting Kazakhstan’s musical heritage internationally, the ensemble also develops innovative projects combining the classical string quartet with traditional Kazakh instruments. Among these, From Classics to Ethno-Jazz has become one of its signature productions.
The quartet’s recordings have been released by international labels including Russian Seasons and Divox. In 2022, the ensemble received Kazakhstan’s inaugural Umai National Award for outstanding achievements in the performing arts.
Recent artistic collaborations include projects with Canadian composer and pianist David Braid and internationally acclaimed pianist Ludmila Berlinskaya.

Current Members

Aidar Toktaliyev – First Violin
Alexey Lebedev – Second Violin
Bekzat Sailaubaiuly – Viola
Yernar Myntayev – Violoncello, Artistic Director
Honoured Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Aidar Toktaliyev
First violin

‘…the first violin looked like a man of much wit, a fine talker, who sustained the conversation of which he had given the subject.’
– Stendhal

As first violinist, Aidar combines musical leadership with the collaborative spirit at the heart of every string quartet.
He began studying the violin with the renowned teacher Nina Patrusheva before continuing his musical education at the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory. At the age of eighteen, he joined the Kazakh Quartet. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Yernar Myntayev, he developed his artistry as a chamber musician and grew into his role as first violinist through years of intensive rehearsals, performances and international competitions. Renowned for his expressive playing and luminous tone, he has captivated audiences worldwide.
For more than twelve years, he has led the Kazakh Quartet in performances at leading concert halls and festivals around the world, contributing to its international reputation and award-winning success.
Aidar performs on a rare seventeenth-century Italian violin from the State Collection of Unique Musical Instruments of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Alexey Lebedev
Second violin
‘In the second violin, she recognised a friend of the first, who sought by all means to make him shine, and sustained the conversation rather by approving of what the others said than by putting forward ideas.’
– Stendhal

The second violin is far more than a supporting role: it shapes, balances and enriches the quartet’s musical dialogue, contributing as much to its character as the first violin.
Alexey Lebedev joined the Kazakh Quartet in 2008 following a highly competitive audition. A graduate of the N.G. Zhiganov Kazan State Conservatory, he quickly established himself as an integral member of the ensemble, admired for his expressive playing, musical versatility and dynamic stage presence.
Since joining the quartet, he has been described by Artistic Director Yernar Myntayev as ‘a magnificent second violinist’.
Alexey performs on a rare seventeenth-century Italian violin from the State Collection of Unique Musical Instruments of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Bekzat Sailaubaiuly
Viola

‘As to the viola, she did not say much, yet nevertheless joined the conversation. She acted gracefully, giving the others space to breathe, yet always demonstrating a secret fondness for the cello.’
– Stendhal

The viola provides warmth and depth at the heart of the string quartet, linking the brilliance of the violins with the rich sound of the cello.
Bekzat initially studied at the Akhmet Zhubanov Music School for Gifted Children and later at the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory, where he trained with distinguished teachers including Saule Zhusupova, Valeriy Bagautdinov and Diana Makhmud.
While still in his third year of study, he was identified by Artistic Director Yernar Myntayev as a promising future member of the Kazakh Quartet.
An award winner at national and international competitions, he served as principal viola of the conservatory orchestra and toured internationally before joining the Kazakh Quartet in 2015.
He performs on a viola crafted by a contemporary European luthier.
Yernar Myntayev
Cello

‘The cello was a solid man, learned and sententious. He supported the first violin with maxims, laconic but convincing in their truth.’
– Stendhal

As Artistic Director and cellist of the Kazakh Quartet, Yernar Myntayev has shaped the ensemble’s artistic vision for more than three decades. He is an Honoured Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a state distinction recognising his contribution to the country’s musical life.
He studied with the great cellist Sapil Zhakeyev before continuing his training at the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory with Jambul Baspayev. His passion for chamber music led him to specialise in the string quartet, and his studies with Valentin Berlinsky of the Borodin Quartet, and later with Rainer Schmidt of the Hagen Quartet, had a lasting influence not only on his own artistry but also on the ensemble’s artistic development.
Under his leadership, the quartet has become one of Central Asia’s leading chamber ensembles, earning international recognition through performances, recordings and competition successes. He continues to champion both the classical repertoire and the music of Kazakhstan, while mentoring the next generation of chamber musicians.
Yernar performs on an eighteenth-century French cello.