Signum Quartett

Performances of unsparing expressivity, intimacy and vitality are hallmarks of the Signum Quartett, pairing music making of the subtlest order with playing of the highest intensity. The dramatic composition of their programmes is innovative and distinct, and is realised with uncompromising perfection in interpretations of effortless transparency.

Praised for its Schubert CDs, including song arrangements, the quartet is invited to renowned halls such as the Boulez Saal and the Konzerthaus Berlin, Frankfurt’s Alte Oper, to Prague as well as to the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and New York’s Carnegie Hall. With commissions to South African composers, the renowned quartet commemorates the abolition of apartheid 30 years ago in 24/25.

Members

Florian Donderer | violin
Annette Walther | violin
Xandi van Dijk | viola
Thomas Schmitz | violoncello

On Tour

Awards

For its CD “Lebensmuth”, the Signum Quartet was honoured with the OPUS KLASSIK 2024 as CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR.
The award ceremony will take place on 12 October as part of the OPUS KLASSIK concert and on 13 October at the festive OPUS KLASSIK Gala at Konzerthaus Berlin.

New Releases

LEBENSMUTH | Franz Schubert String Quartets D 18 and D 887, Lied arrangements | PENTATONE

An die Nachtigall

In the song arrangement, the ensemble makes its instruments sing beguilingly. In the two quartets, No. 1 and No. 15, with their characteristic gestures, dramatic intensity, pointed drasticness, roughness, shimmering tension, tenderness, earthly momentum and heavenly melodic bliss succeed. It is very stirring and deeply touching. Perfect interplay. (concerti.de, EW, June 2023)

INS STILLE LAND | Franz Schubert String Quartets D 74 and D 810, Lied arrangements | PENTATONE | listen

… an affecting new way of playing and listening to Schubert …Prepare for a deeply moving experience. Strings magazine | Laurence Vittes | March-April 2021

Watch and Listen

London, Kings Place
Franz Schubert – string quartet d minor op.post. D 810
“Death and the Maiden”

Projects

Rock Lounge | This programme combines rhythmically energetic classical and modern works: Mozart, Stravinsky, Beethoven and Schulhoff are meeting Led Zeppelin, Cream and Radiohead.

For further recordings of the program please see here. For the detailed programme please see downloads on this site.

#quartweets | A #quartweet is a musical composition for string quartet of 140 notes or less (280 since 2017), reflecting the maximum number of characters in a Twitter message (a tweet). Prominent composers contribute to this sepcial project as well as composers of all ages and abilities. The project is a Social Media experiment that intends to put more music into the way we communicate online.