Alexander Bălănescu (born June 11, 1954 in Bucharest, Romania) is a violinist and founder of the Balanescu Quartet.[1] He emigrated with his family to Israel in 1969. He is a performer of contemporary music and can be heard playing an arrangement of the University Challenge TV quiz programme intro and outro theme. He has also performed on many of Peter Greenaway’s films including The Draughtsman's Contract and The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover.[2] Several short animated films by Phil Mulloy use his music.