The SQBA 2026 programme is now available!
Join us for the 5th edition of the String Quartet Biennale from 24 to 31 January 2026! During eight packed days, you can immerse yourself in string quartet music, from early morning until late evening. We are thrilled to present the world’s most renowned quartets and the emerging young generation to you, in carefully curated programs with the most cherished classics and hidden gems as well as 14 (world) premieres. Ticket sales start on 25 March!
MERITA Concerts
Our SQBA Residency is a leading partner of the European Union-supported MERITA platform. MERITA is an initiative founded by Le Dimore del Quartetto aiming to nurture and promote young Europe-based string quartets while promoting cultural heritage. During the first half of 2025 we present ten concerts by young European string quartets in historic venues spread throughout the Netherlands. We are delighted to share these concerts with you.
The 4th edition was a huge success!
The fourth edition has exceeded all our expectations and showed that the string quartet is alive and well. The young generation embraces this powerful and beloved genre and this was amply demonstrated during this String Quartet Biennale. The presence of these musicians on stage has touched many hearts, including those of many young listeners. In addition, we were proud to experience the well-known ensembles in the most beautiful repertoire, including Bartók's six masterpieces. In our experience, there is a renaissance of the string quartet, and we have seen that confirmed during this edition.
Save the date!
String Quartet
Biennale 2026
24.1 - 31.1.2026
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.