The fourth edition of the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam took place from 27th January to 3rd February 2024. The Amsterdam Muziekgebouw was home to the largest string quartet festival in the world for eight days. More than 13,600 listeners, young and old, from all over the world, have immersed themselves in the most diverse music, played by 24 string quartets. The string quartet took centre stage in dazzling world premieres and well-known and beloved repertoire.
Founder and artistic director Yasmin Hilberdink: “The fourth edition has exceeded all our expectations and once again showed that the string quartet is alive and well. The young generation of musicians embraces this powerful and beloved genre and demonstrated this amply during this String Quartet Biennale. Their presence 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.”
The absolute world top played for eight days in Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, the festival heart of the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam. Established quartets such as the Belcea Quartet, the Jerusalem String Quartet, the Australian String Quartet and the Tetzlaff Quartett made their appearance alongside the young guard, including the Leonkoro Quartet, the Marmen Quartet and the Animato Quartet.
Quartets of the highest quality and challenging programs provided a warm bath for the curious listener every day.
Highlights
Highlights included the dazzling opening concert with the Danish String Quartet, a breathtaking Bartók cycle, played by three top quartets and Quartet & Country by the Australian String Quartet and Dr Lou Bennett AM, heard for the first time in the Netherlands. The various Haydn concerts in the morning by the young generation of players were also unforgettable, as was baritone Davóne Tines in his compelling program MASS, keynote speaker Philipp Blom and the world trip that the Butter Quartet & the Lute Legends made.
Premieres
There were world premieres by Bushra El-Turk and Seung-Won Oh. There was also new work by Garth Knox, James MacMillan, Paul Stanhope/Dr Lou Bennett AM, Dr Lou Bennett AM/Iain Grandage, Moya Henderson, Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Matijs de Roo.
The fifth edition of the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam will take place from 24th January to 31st 2026.
