The People’s Artist of Russia, illustrious cellist Valentin Berlinsky after suffering a long serious disease died on the night of Monday, aged 83, in Moscow.
      
      The farewell ceremony will take place in Tchaikovsky Concert Hall on 18 December; the musician will be laid to rest at Vagankovskoe Cemetery.
      
      When a conservatoire student yet, back in 1944, Valentin Berlinsky took part in founding a students’ string quartet, which later affiliated Moscow Philharmonic and in 1955 came to be called Borodin’s Quartet. Valentin Berlinsky was the only quartet member who played in it from the very first day of its foundation.
      
      The quartet is recorded in the Russian Guinness Book of Records as the oldest chamber ensemble in this country. Twice it was honoured with State Awards of Russia. The quartet toured in almost all the continents and gave thousands of concerts. Many leading composers dedicated their works to the quartet.
      
      Source: newsru.com