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
April 21, 2026 | Berlin
April 30 – May 3, 2026 | Schwetzingen
Projects
Unfinished, Yet Complete – A Homage to Franz Schubert
The Signum Quartet and Dominique Horwitz blend theatre and music to explore the mystery of Franz Schubert’s work. His music still moves us today – filled with melancholy, depth, and solace. The evening seeks the “unfinished completeness” and the man Schubert himself. The program approaches Schubert tentatively: through questions, contradictions, and fears. His letters and music – from delicate soundscapes to eruptive power – come alive. Songs like “Gretchen am Spinnrade” and “Die schöne Müllerin” take on a new, theatrical dimension. Dominique Horwitz interprets Schubert freely, beyond tradition.
Schubert’s music guides us through life – stirring, enigmatic, sometimes dark, sometimes luminous. An evening that rediscovers Schubert anew.
Schubert Trilogy
Aus der Ferne | Ins stille Land | Lebensmuth
The Signum Quartet succeeds here in demonstrating an impressive connection between Schubert’s songs and his string quartets.
That this develops into a dialogue between Schubert’s dual composer souls of lied and chamber music to which one does not merely listen, but by which one is spellbound and enthralled, is thanks to the highly concentrated, creative, versatile and emotional playing of the four musicians.
Rondo | CD Ins stille Land | Guido Fischer | November 28, 2020
… an affecting new way of playing and listening to Schubert … As if they were singers themselves, the quartet in the transcriptions plays with a sensitivity and attention that seems to carry over to their playing of the quartets. …Prepare for a deeply moving experience.
Strings magazine| CD Ins stille Land | Laurence Vittes | March-April 2021
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
New Releases
ECM released A Dark Flaring in 2025 with works by South African composers from eight decades.
“With that recording now showing its age sonically, the Signum’s slightly more measured but superbly played version of this unalloyed masterpiece is unreservedly welcome. So is the whole album, though, with such tremendous performances and pitch-perfect sound. Recommended.”
Gramophone | CD A Dark Flaring | Guy Richards | August 2025
Reviews
The Signum Quartet offers world-class
This is how you want string quartets to play! Shaped in every motivic fibre, eloquently articulated, precisely phrased, agogically structured, dynamically differentiated, as well as gesturally pointed to question, answer, agreement, counter-speech. That is world class. This is how one would like to hear string quartets played by the Signum Quartet.
Kölner Stadtanzeiger | Philharmonie Köln | Rainer Nonnenmann | October 24th, 2024
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