Quartet history
Gaziza Zhubanova State String Quartet

The Gaziza Zhubanova State String Quartet is Kazakhstan’s leading chamber ensemble and one of the country’s foremost ambassadors of classical music on the international stage. Widely recognized for its artistic excellence, refined musicianship and distinctive sound, the quartet has established itself among the most respected chamber ensembles of Central Asia through acclaimed performances, international awards, recordings and collaborations with some of the world’s most distinguished musicians.

The quartet is the resident ensemble of the National Academic Philharmonic named after Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev under the Akimat of Astana. Its Artistic Director and permanent cellist is Yernar Myntayev, Honoured Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Founded in 1988 by Professor Dina Churenova at the Akhmet Zhubanov Republican Specialized Music School for Gifted Children, the ensemble was named in honour of the eminent Kazakh composer Gaziza Zhubanova. Owing to its exceptional artistic achievements and rapidly growing reputation, the quartet was granted official State Quartet status in 1995.

Throughout its history, the quartet has maintained a close connection with the great European and Russian chamber music traditions. From 1990 to 1995, Yernar Myntayev studied at the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory in Almaty. Between 1999 and 2004, he continued his artistic development in Moscow with the legendary Valentin Berlinsky, founding cellist of the world-renowned Borodin Quartet. From 2004 to 2006, the quartet studied at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía in Madrid under Rainer Schmidt, violinist of the celebrated Hagen Quartet. Between 2010 and 2012, Myntayev completed postgraduate studies at the Academy of Music Basel (FHNW), Switzerland, under Professor Rainer Schmidt through Kazakhstan’s prestigious "Bolashak" International Scholarship Programme.

The quartet has further refined its artistic identity through masterclasses with many of the world’s most influential chamber ensembles, including the Amadeus Quartet, Bartók Quartet, Smetana Quartet, Alban Berg Quartet, Janáček Quartet, Quatuor Mosaïques, and the Hagen Quartet.

The ensemble has earned numerous awards at major international competitions. Among its distinctions are prizes at the Dmitri Shostakovich International String Quartet Competition (Moscow), the International String Quartet Competition (Osaka), the Rovere d’Oro International Competition (Italy), the Bellini International Competition (Sicily), and the International Creative Competition “Shabyt”, where the quartet received both the Grand Prix and the President’s Cup. The ensemble also became a finalist at the International String Quartet Competition in Bordeaux (France). While studying at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía, the quartet received the Diploma for Best Chamber Ensemble, presented personally by Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain.

The quartet has performed extensively throughout Kazakhstan and has appeared in many of the world’s leading concert halls and international festivals across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The 2025–2026 season marked a defining chapter in the ensemble’s artistic history with an international anniversary tour celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Gaziza Zhubanova State String Quartet. During this landmark tour, the ensemble performed in four of the world’s most prestigious concert venues: Carnegie Hall (New York), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Salle Cortot (Paris), and the Auditorio Nacional de Música (Madrid). These appearances further established the quartet’s reputation as one of the leading chamber ensembles of Central Asia and an outstanding ambassador of Kazakh musical culture on the international stage.

The quartet’s international engagements have also included performances at the Royal Opera House in Doha, the Small Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory, the Belarusian State Philharmonic, the Mendelssohn International Festival in Hamburg, the "la Clé des Portes" Festival in France, as well as official cultural events representing the Republic of Kazakhstan in numerous countries.

The quartet’s repertoire spans more than three centuries of chamber music, embracing the masterpieces of the Classical, Romantic and Modern eras alongside the finest works of Kazakh composers. The ensemble has introduced Kazakh audiences to numerous landmark compositions, including Alban Berg’s Lyric Suite and the complete cycle of Ludwig van Beethoven’s sixteen string quartets.

During 2020–2021, the quartet performed Beethoven’s complete string quartet cycle in celebration of the composer’s 250th anniversary. The following seasons focused on the complete quartets of Béla Bartók and on world premieres by contemporary Kazakh composers including Kuat Shildebayev, Beibyt Daldenbay, Artyk Toksanbayev, Arman Zhaiym, and Abulkhair Sagimbayev, many of which were written especially for the ensemble.

Dedicated to promoting Kazakhstan’s musical heritage worldwide, the quartet continually explores innovative artistic projects that combine the classical string quartet with traditional Kazakh instruments, including the dombra, qyl-qobyz, zhetigen, and saz syrnai. Among these projects, From Classics to Ethno-Jazz has become one of the ensemble’s signature productions, presenting Kazakh national music through a contemporary artistic perspective.

The quartet’s recordings have been released by international labels, including Russian Seasons and the Swiss label Divox. Their acclaimed discography includes Astana (2000), a studio recording produced in Spain (2005), and Great Steppe Melodies (2016), featuring the complete string quartets of Gaziza Zhubanova alongside arrangements of traditional Kazakh küy. The ensemble has also recorded works by Felix Mendelssohn for Divox in Switzerland.

In 2022, the quartet became a laureate of Kazakhstan’s inaugural Umai National Award, recognizing outstanding achievements in the performing arts.

Recent artistic collaborations include projects with Canadian composer and pianist David Braid and internationally acclaimed pianist Ludmila Berlinskaya, reflecting the quartet’s commitment to artistic innovation and international cultural exchange.

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

"…first violin is like a middle-aged man, endowed with great intelligence and "

— Stendhal about string quartet.

First violin is considered as a distinctive feature of any quartet. His role can not be overestimated. Artist must be greater than just a lead singer, more than just a quartetist. 18 year old Aidar already was a bright star of the violin art and how a diamond was severely polished he took his honored place in the quartet. Starting to learn from outstanding teacher, Nina Patrusheva, who brought such great artists as Aiman Musakhodzhayeva, Gaukhar Murzabekova, Marat Bisengaliyev, Aidar eagerly absorbed the secrets of violin playing. There was not a concert hall where the bright sound of Aidar's violin would not hit the hearts of listeners. And nowadays, he is perhaps the most important reason to go to a concert once again. When Yernar Mynatayev first heard how Aidar plays, it immediately became clear for him that the guy is talented. It was decided that no one will give ready first violin and you have to sculpt it yourselves. Aidar found the work in the quartet more fascinating than studying in conservatories, despite the fact that Aidar graduated from the best conservatory in the country (Conservatory named after Kurmangazy). His tests were performances in the best concert halls, exams – listenings at the famous quartet competitions, where prizes and regalia have always been won with honor and dignity.

Now Aidar's career includes more than 12 years of successful performances as a Primarius of the State Quartet. Aidar plays on a unique instrument made by Italian master of XVII century from the State collection of unique instruments of Kazakhstan.
Alexey Lebedev
Second violin

We dare to refute great Stendahl's words and claim that there is no such a notion as the second violin. It is not an average voice, but a worthy opponent on the fullness of the sound to the brilliantly playing first violin. The brightness of the first violin, by the way, directly depends from the mastery of the second.In 2008, SSQ named after Zhubanova announced the competition for the vacant position of the second violin. The candidates from throughout the country and neighboring countries arrived in Almaty. Among them there was young and ambitious Alexey Lebedev just graduated from the Kazan State Conservatory named after N.G. Zhiganov. He immediately won the attention of the selection committee by his talent and zeal and later perfectly complemented the team. After years of hard teamwork, leader of the quartet – Yernar Myntayev – can confidently declare that they have "magnificent second violin". Alexey is very temperamental and bright. Alexey plays on a instrument made by Italian master of XVII century from the State collection of unique instruments of Kazakhstan.Contact Alexey.
Bekzat Sailaubaiuly
Alto

"As for the viola, it's cute, a bit talkative woman who is constantly striving to take part in the conversation. However, it brings into the conversation a known elegance and while she talks the other sides have a chance to have a rest. In this lady, however, we can notice a secret penchant for cello, which she apparently prefers to all other instruments."

— Stendhal about string quartet.

Viola is a unique instrument. Any quartetist will admit that it is a great success to have a good violist in a team. Bekzat have been raised in the best institutions of Kazakhstan such as Republican school for gifted youngsters named after Akhmet Zhubanov and Kazakh National Conservatory named after Kurmangazy. In these institutuions Bekzat was taught by such great masters as Prof. Saule Zhusupova, the member of the 1st State String Quartet Valeriy Bagautdinov, the student of the founder of Kazakhstan school of viola Jacob Fudiman, Diana Makhmud.

As a leading violist of the conservatory, Bekzat has received the awards of a number of national and international competitions. Furthermore, as the concertmaster of the violas group, Bekzat has toured to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Seoul and Daegu. The great achievements of Bekzat in his professional field had attracted the attention of the head of the State Quartet, Yernar Myntaev. Later, a 3rd year student, Bekzat, received one of the most important offers is his entire career – to become a member of the State Quartet. However, the proposal came into effect only two years later, when he graduated from the Conservatory and received his diploma. The debut of new violist went January 27, 2015 in Almaty and was successfully met by the audience. Now, with Bekzat in the team, SSQ is launching a new milestone in its history. Bekzat plays on the artisan instrument (since 2007), made by special order by Almaty master Vladimir Kolotov.
Yernar Myntayev
Cello

In any sphere to find a good teacher is an element of fortune. Yernar Mynatyev in this sense is very lucky person. Since childhood, he gets into careful hands of great cellist – Sapil M. Zhakeyev, who have already raised the outstanding cellists of Kazakhstan.In the conservatory Yernar gained the secrets cello skills from the venerable cellist Jambul Baspayev. After receiving such thorough foundation, someone might calm down and become a humble soloist. However, this was not true for Yernar. He was addicted to the idea of the quartet and this determined his future. The fortune helped him once more presenting him an encounter with outstanding cellist, quartetist – Valentin Berlinskiy. The usual routine was replaced by fascinating life full of pleasant meeting, musical insights and his transformation into professional. Yernar did not give up his idea even when the group members had changed many times.
And now he has a flair for talented musicians who are now playing with him in the quartet. It was a great success that the team was trained by Rainer Schmidt – the most titled and demanded quartet teacher in the world. The more a man works, the more successful he becomes – Yernar proved this statement. Yernar carries the traditions of both cello and quartet art with dignity throughout his career. His teachers are still alive in every note and every work that the quartet presents to the audience. This is what determines the greatness of talented teachers, even if they leave their efforts continue to live in their students. Yernar plays on cello made by French master in XVIII century.