New works for string quartet at every edition

For each edition of the String Quartet Biennale, we program and present a series of (world) premieres: new works for string quartet, quintet, octet, or larger ensembles, such as string quartet with choir. On this page, you’ll find an overview of all composition commissions that the String Quartet Biennale has issued to date, or to which the festival has contributed together with other partners.

Please note: This is not a complete list of all premieres programmed by the festival — it only includes commissioned works that SQBA has contributed to.

Monica ROSENZWEIG Armour fund

New compositions are vital for a vibrant and colourful future of the string quartet; they enrich and expand the centuries-old repertoire. The collaborative creative process — the exchange between the quartet musicians and the composer — is a source of inspiration for both sides. The final result sparks something in us, the lovers and listeners, during a performance.

Over the course of four festival editions, the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam has made fifteen composition commissions possible. For the fifth edition in 2026, seven new commissions are planned. Enabling the creation of a new composition is a wonderful way to create a lasting connection to the music — and to have your name live on through it.

“Newly written music for string quartet gives joy and contributes significantly to our social and cultural wellbeing. Knowing that I am contributing to something so positive, that will long outlast me, is an important part of my personal legacy.” – Monica Rosenzweig Armour

Monica Rosenzweig Armour has established a named fund to help keep the string quartet repertoire alive in the 21st century — together with fellow music lovers. The MRA Composition Fund welcomes donations from anyone who wishes to contribute to the creation of new music.

Curious and want to know more?
Please contact managing director Kiki Raposo de Haas via k.raposo@sqba.nl or +31 (0)6 26490489.

Since the first edition of the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam in 2018, composition commissions have been awarded to:
Samuel Adams, Lucio Amanti, Lera Auerbach, Brett Dean, Aftab Darvishi, Jonathan Dove, Bushra El-Turk, Sebastian Fagerlund, Willem Friede, Osvaldo Golijov, David Lang, Vinthya Perinpanathan, Alexander Raskatov, Joey Roukens, José Maria Sánchez-Verdú, Bart Visman, Kevin Volans, Mathilde Wantenaar (2x), Jörg Widmann, and the six composers of Een flat met duizend ramen: Primo Ish-Hurwitz, Richard Ayres, Frieda Gustavs, Hanna Kulenty, Jan-Peter de Graaff, and Boris Bezemer.