 During the same period he was also a member of the Gavin Bryars Ensemble.Bălănescu was in the Arditti Quartet for four years before forming his own quartet in 1987.The Balanescu Quartet has worked closely with Michael Nyman, Gavin Bryars, Kevin Volans, as well as musicians from varied musical fields such as John Lurie, David Byrne, Keith Tippett, Carla Bley, Rabih Abou Khalil, Spiritualized and the Pet Shop Boys.