Due to the current situation in the Netherlands, we can only conclude that it will not be possible to host an international live festival at the end of January. That is why we have decided, with pain in our hearts, to cancel the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam 2022.

Together with the string quartets and the Muziekgebouw, we have prepared a number of alternative scenarios in recent weeks, hoping for the small chance that concerts could take place again by the end of January. These scenarios offered us new inspiration, but the current situation, only a few weeks from the festival, does not allow for much hope.

Our artistic director Yasmin Hilberdink about this decision: “With every measure from the government we lose a vital part of the whole — we can only cut away so much, until we are only left with something that has nothing to do with a festival anymore. For everyone involved, especially the musicians, we wanted to provide clarity well in advance. Because we don’t want to leave anyone in uncertainty for too long or have them prepare something in vain. We had the feeling that we could no longer wait and we feel there’s too little prospect for a live festival by the end of January. Therefore, we will now focus on an alternative programme in collaboration with the Dutch radio and on the 50 for the Future weekend in May 2023. And although it still sounds very far away, we are already looking forward to the next edition of the String Quartet Biennale, which will take place from January 27 to February 3, 2024.

Support the musicians and the freelancers

It is our priority to compensate everyone who was part of the festival programme as best as possible. That is why a large part of the proceeds from donated tickets will go directly to the musicians and freelancers from the festival team. It is of course also possible to make a special one-time donation to the String Quartet Biennale. Please contact our business director Jaap Hülsmann to do so.

Alternative programme in collaboration with Dutch Radio 4

Nevertheless, the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam 2022 will be visible and audible! Together with NTR and NPO Radio 4, we are currently working on themed broadcasts during the cancelled String Quartet Biennale, recorded in the Muziekgebouw. The programme will consist of a mix of quartets from the original festival line-up, who will come together for a number of unique (live) broadcasts during the cancelled festival. We will publish the exact details as soon as possible.

World premières

Two world premières of which we are particularly proud, by Osvaldo Golijov and Jonathan Dove, will still be heard in the Netherlands in the coming concert seasons. Most likely, these premières will take place in the 2023/2024 season in the Muziekgebouw, Musis Arnhem and the Stadsgehoorzaal in Leiden. The Belinfante Quartet will also tour the Netherlands this spring with Mathilde Wantenaar’s new string quartet, of which the world première would have taken place during the String Quartet Biennale.

50 for the Future weekend

In addition, the 50 for the Future weekend will take place on 6 and 7 May 2023, a mini-festival in collaboration with the Kronos Quartet, the Muziekgebouw and the Ragazze Quartet. All in all, between now and 2024, we can look forward to a solid dose of String Quartet Biennale!