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.

The quartet has been a welcome guest at Wigmore Hall London, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Philharmonie de Paris, Konzerthaus Vienna, Philharmonie Cologne and Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, with partners such as Nils Mönkemeyer, Dominique Horwitz, Jörg Widmann, Daniel Ottensamer and Elisabeth Leonskaja. In 2023 the ensemble will give its debut at New York Carnegie Hall.

Members

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

On Tour

New Releases

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

Their aesthetic of fullness without heaviness and their refusal to give into pathos and excess is reminiscent of the recording by the Alban Bergs … , but distances itself from them by their sensitive and emotional playing. Classica | Fabienne Bouvet | April 2021

… I came to appreciate their tender and inward-looking performance of the String Quartets, as well as their clever way of storytelling through the song arrangements. The Classic Review | Tal Agam | November 2020

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

A ‘Death and the Maiden’ that stands tall in a crowded field. The Strad | Carlos Maria Solare | January 2021

Trailer Schubert CD INS STILLE LAND for PENTATONE

Awards

The Signum Quartett received the OPUS KLASSIK 2019 for its Schubert recording: FROM AFAR | Franz Schubert String Quartets D 112 and 804 “Rosamunde”, Lied arrangements | PENTATONE PTC 5186 673 | listen

Projects

Rock Lounge | This programme combines rhythmically energetic classical and modern works: Mozart, Stravinsky, Beethoven and Schulhoff are meeting Led Zeppelin, Cream and Radiohead. The programme can also be combined with a shorter, classical concert. To create a special atmosphere, the programme can be relocated to the foyer or bar area, for example, or special lighting can be used. Amplification is not required.

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.