The Polish composer Chopin once famously said, “Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, except possibly two.” But what would he have thought of four?
He would likely have been thrilled, especially given the talent in the newly formed Australian Guitar Quartet: renowned brothers Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, Andrew Blanch, who is nearing the end of his second U.S. tour, and Vladimir Gorbach, an associate professor at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
The quartet will make their debut at the Melbourne Recital Centre on February 11, with a performance titled Bach, Bossa and Beyond, followed by a concert at Sydney’s City Recital Hall two days later. Their program spans centuries of music, featuring works from the 18th century to contemporary pieces, including a work by American jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny. “It’s a long, symphonic experience,” says Slava Grigoryan, “originally written for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.”
When asked what sets their quartet apart, the musicians shared their vision during a Zoom call.
“This is new for all of us,” says Slava. “It’s a fresh take on arrangements and commissioning new compositions. We want to build on the guitar’s rich history in Australia, collaborate with younger composers, players, and even guitar makers, and engage with other artists. A dream would be to collaborate with William Barton, the didgeridoo player and composer.”
Brother Leonard adds that he has been arranging music for the quartet, some of which will be featured in their upcoming concerts. “The guitar palette is vast, and we’re going to explore it fully—sometimes adding a tenor ukulele or a seven-string guitar,” he says.
While there have been other guitar quartets in Australia, the Grigoryans, Blanch, and Gorbach are confident that their project will endure. “This is a legacy project,” Slava says. “The possibility of creating something that belongs to others and will outlast us is incredibly exciting.”
Their plan includes performing four times a year, with occasional recording sessions and educational outreach. “We want to perform in large venues but also do things that don’t generate income, like working with students in rural towns,” Slava explains.
Their goals extend beyond Australian borders. “We aim to export something uniquely Australian—there’s an identity of place in our name, in the music we play, and in our Australian-made guitars,” says Gorbach, who admits to having “snuck in” a Spanish guitar but plans to acquire an Australian one. “We have huge aspirations,” he continues. “We want to tour Europe and the U.S. We’re more aligned with the popular music industry; like a band, we’ll need to come together prepared.”
Given the quartet’s geographical spread—Slava in Adelaide, the others in Sydney—and their busy schedules as touring musicians, the group plans to rehearse at Sydney’s Conservatorium, where Gorbach teaches.
Realizing these ambitious goals will take careful planning and consistent effort. However, the quartet has already put measures in place to support their vision. They now have a publicist and a board chaired by former Sydney Opera House CEO Norman Gillespie. “It’s a brains trust,” Slava says, “with members bringing incredible experience from the artistic, corporate, and legal sectors.”
Gillespie is excited to be part of the project. “When these four outstanding Australian guitar virtuosos, each with their own international reputation and successful solo careers, came together to push the boundaries of their art, I knew audiences would be in for something truly extraordinary.”
Though the quartet hopes to appoint a managing director and seek philanthropic support, they are committed to ensuring equal artistic input from all members. The four will rotate the solo parts from one piece to another, allowing for varied musical expression. “We all bring our own personalities to the music,” Blanch says, whose passion for South American music is evident in their Bach, Bossa and Beyond program.
Lenny adds, “Slava and I have done our classical thing at Woodford and other folk festivals across the country. We’re invited to these events because of the guitar.”
After their February recitals, the quartet will perform at Spain’s prestigious Cordoba Guitar Festival in July, with plans for a recording session “in the near future,” according to Lenny.
Gillespie is confident in their future. “I have no doubt that the Australian Guitar Quartet is destined for great things.”
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