Discover the beauty of the string quartet
From 27.1 - 3.2.2024 in Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ & Bimhuis
This fourth edition of the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam is once again a celebration: depth, beauty and discovery. The sheer power of four. In 8 full days with about 40 concerts you will hear the top class of the international string quartet, the unique young guard and lots of good string quartet music! There will be singing, dancing and speaking. The lineup includes 25 string quartets and brings together musicians and music from all corners of the world. Curious? Check out the program and book your tickets now!
Come listen to Leerorkest quartets!
Pre-opening to the opening with the Danish String Quartet
On January 27 ten young string quartets from the Leerorkest will open the fourth edition of the String Quartet Biennale. Every school year, string players from district talent orchestras in Amsterdam come together to play string quartets. Since the first edition in 2018, 24 leerorkest-quartets have been formed and during this edition no less than 10 string quartets will perform. Come listen and enjoy the festive atmosphere and the enthusiasm of these young string players. Starting at 18:45 in the Entrehall of the Muziekgebouw. Entrance is free! Tip: it is definitely fun to combine this festive pre-opening with the evening concert!
Save the date!
String Quartet
Biennale 2024
27.1 - 3.2.2024
There’s something magical about string quartet. For over 250 years, the most beautiful and thrilling music has been written for this specific combination of two violins, viola and cello.
Every two years the String Quartet Biennale brings together string quartets, composers and artists from around the globe. Their rich and diverse backgrounds help mould this dynamic and innovative festival consisting of eight days in the Muziekgebouw Amsterdam packed with over sixty concerts, talks, masterclasses and a lively fringe programme featuring 30 string quartets, soloists, composers and speakers.
What's New?
The Amsterdam String Quartet Biennale is a wonderfully inspiring community of artists, audience, and music lovers in an incredible setting. It is an honor and joy to be returning in 2024 to join a group of truly outstanding string quartets in a one-of-a kind festival.
The Calder Quartet
The Muziekgebouw is literally buzzing with enthusiasm and passion. Each time I come to the Amsterdam Biennale, my love and pride for the String Quartet finds itself strengthened, grown and renewed. The Biennale maintains a perfect balance of celebrating the string quartet with respect and passion, showcasing its endless repertoire, while simultaneously pursuing innovative and exciting concert programming. It is a little bit of paradise for any quartet enthusiast.
Hélène Clément,
Doric String Quartet
The String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam is like a great astronomical event on the string quartet firmament: for one week, a multitude of artistic forces - along with an inspired mass of spectators - align and resonate together. The diversity of artists and events eclipses everything else on the quartet calendar, and celebrates what the string quartet might ultimately strive to be - a microcosm of our society and a mirror to every aspect of the human experience. We can’t wait to return in 2024!
Johannes Marmen,
Marmen Quartet
The String Quartet Biennale is a string quartet-universe without limits: It's an inviting space to discover every hidden corner that the string quartet has to offer and a place where one can encounter the widest scope of international string quartets. The Biennale is a warm home for all string quartets worldwide, where we can finally meet our fellow ensembles, listen to each other, learn from each other and inspire one another.
Rosa Arnold,
Ragazze Quartet
The String Quartet Biennale is a forum for dreams to become reality, and for the wildest and usually unrealisable ideas to take shape and wing. For us, as quartets, it is a unique meeting place for quartets amongst themselves - something which rarely happens in the wild.
Xandi Van Dijk,
Signum Quartett
Eight days of floating in the past, present and future of the string quartet exudes a hypnotic power.
Joost Galema,
NRC, 2 February 2020
The greatest thing in life is when Utopia becomes reality. For me, that is exactly what happens at the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam. For a full week, the Muziekgebouw and the area around it is like a village, completely occupied by the string quartet.
Marc Danel,
Quatuor Danel
The richness of the String Quartet Biennale is maddening.