X-TET
The open ensemble
The name of the ensemble reflects not only the desire to open the treasures of classical music to a wider audience but also the openness of the ensemble itself. The founders of the X-TET don't insist on limiting the ensemble to certain number of members.

Our goal is to bring the enchanting world of music to the wider audiences, breaking down barriers, and dismantling the elitist notions that often surround classical and contemporary academic music.

All musicians who share these values are welcome to become part of this project.

Our joint belief is that music has the power to unite people, evoke profound emotions, and ignite transformative change.
“Breaking the third wall”
X-TET performs two of the 20th century's most significant quartet works in 21st-century setup: Steve Reich's "Different Trains" becomes a data-driven installation, and Dmitri Shostakovich's 8th Quartet will be joined by an AI listener who will presumably become the performer.

October 21, 18:40 — 19:20
Kassenhalle
  • Yuri Zhislin
    Violin
    Described by The Strad as a 'virtuoso with a truly Romantic temperament', Yuri Zhislin has performed with the Oxford Philharmonic, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the London Mozart Players, the Lithuanian State Symphony and the Santiago de Chile Symphony, to name a few. Yury is a professor of violin and viola at the Royal College of Music in London.
  • Evgenia Epshtein
    Violin
    A winner of several prizes and competitions as a soloist, Evgenia Epshtein was a co-founder of the Aviv string quartet which won the 3rd Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, the Bordeaux String Quartet Competition and the Charles Hennen Music competition as well as other top prizes and was proclaimed as the “Best young ensemble” by the Culture Ministries of Germany and Israel.
  • Mikhail Rudoy
    Viola
    Winner of many international competitions, including Johannes Brahms chamber music competition, Mikhail Rudoy connected his musical career with chamber music and string quartet.
  • Alexey Steblev
    Cello
    Alexey Steblev is sharing several careers as a cellist, composer, conductor, and entrepreneur.
    Playing most of his life in string quartets (Talan Quartet and New Russian Quartet) and being a soloist of Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra, Alexey has performed in most of the important halls throughout the world.
    Alexey has composed music for several films, since 2011 Alexey also worked in the venture capital industry, in 2017 he became one of the founders of CultTech movement, aimed at exploring sustainable approaches to world economic growth with culture at its heart. Now Alexey is Creative Director of CultTech Association.
  • Aleksei Parkhomenko
    AI-artist
    In his work, he combines unorthodox approaches to creating interactive videos and light installations using game engines and real-time simulations.
    The main themes of his work are the diffusion of the digital and the real, the transmission of spiritual and mystical worldviews into the computer age, and the eschatology of technological progress.
Research and Educational Advancements in Culture and Technology
20-21 October 2025
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