Such was the New York Times‘ impression of the Jerusalem Quartet. With their founding in the 1993/1994 season and subsequent 1996 debut, the Israeli musicians embarked on a journey of growth and maturation that has resulted in a wide repertoire and a stunning depth of expression: a journey still motivated by the energy and curiosity with which the ensemble began. The Jerusalem Quartet carries on the string quartet tradition in a unique manner. The ensemble has found its inner center in a warm, full, human sound and the balance between high and low voices, giving it the freedom both to refine its interpretations of the classical repertoire and to explore the works of new genres and epochs—all the while striving for perfection of sound. Collaborations with exceptional musicians such as Martin Fröst, Steven Isserlis, Sharon Kam, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Alexander Melnikov and András Schiff demonstrate clearly the ways in which the musicians benefit from their work, as each guest becomes an integral part of the indivisible ensemble.

The Jerusalem Quartet is a regular and beloved guest on the world’s great concert stages. The ensemble has been especially well-received in North America, where it has performed in cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Washington. In Europe, as well, the quartet enjoys an enthusiastic reception, having appeared in prominent concert halls such as the Zürich Tonhalle, the Munich Herkulessaal, Wigmore Hall in London, and the Parisian Salle Pleyel, as well as special guest performances at the Auditorium du Louvre Paris, the Laeiszhalle Hamburg and as well festivals like Schubertiade Schwarzenberg, Verbier Festival, Rheingau Musikfestival and many more.

After a succesfull 2013/2014 season with focus on the string quartets by Dmitri Shostakovich in the 2014/2015 the Jerusalem Quartet concentrates on the string quartets op. 18 by Ludwig van Beethoven, which they will record exclusively as well for Harmonia Mundi. The concert programmes will also feature works by Bartók, Brahms, Janácek and Schubert.

For the celebration of their 20th anniversary the Jerusalem Quartet will play with well known chamber music partners and present special projects such as a whole Bartók string quartet cycle during the 2015/2016 season.