Photo: Greg Grudt/Mathew ImagingFounded in 1985 as the Leningrad Quartet by Alla Aranovskaya, Alla Krolevich (Goryainova) and Leonid Shukayev, all three graduates of the Leningrad Conservatory, the St. Petersburg Quartet blazed a trail through international chamber music competitions, winning First Prize at the All-Soviet Union String Quartet Competition, the Silver Medal and a Special Prize at the Tokyo International Competition of Chamber Ensembles, First Prize and both Special Prizes at the Vittorio Gui International Competition for Chamber Ensembles in Florence, Italy, and First Prize and the "Grand Prix Musica Viva" at the International Competition for Chamber Ensembles in Melbourne, Australia.  In 1988, second violinist Alla Krolevich immigrated to Israel but in October 2005 re-joined the Quartet. Violist Boris Vayner joined the Quartet in January of 2005.

Having recorded nineteen CDs, including the complete quartets of Shostakovich, the St. Petes have achieved a Grammy nomination, "Best Record" honors in both Stereo Review and Gramophone, and the Chamber Music America/WQXR Prize for Best CD of 2001. The Quartet held the respected position of Quartet-in-Residence at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music from 1999 to 2003.

We welcome the St. Petes back for the third appearance on the BCMS, and their first time judging our Young Artist String Quartet Competition, Saturday, April 30.