Concert 20 november 2025 20:00
Grote Kerk Epe
Soprano Elisabeth Hetherington and the ADAM Quartet explore the intersections between voice and string instruments. Hetherington's expressive delivery and versatility seamlessly complement the detailed and inventive playing of the ADAM Quartet. With a program that stretches the boundaries between vocal and instrumental music, they demonstrate how voice and strings enhance, challenge, and elevate each other to another level.
Masterclass 21 november 2025 09:00 - 23 november 2025
From November 21 to 23, 2025, the NSKA welcomes three prominent musicians for a special masterclass: Gerhard Schulz (Alban Berg Quartet), Marc Danel (Quatuor Danel), and Stefan Metz (Orlando Quartet).
Gerhard Schulz was born in Linz and studied violin with Franz Samohyl at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, with Sándor Végh at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf, and with Shmuel Ashkenasi in the United States. He was a founding member of the Salzburg String Trio and the Schulz Ensemble, and served as the first violinist of the Düsseldorf String Quartet.
Since 1980, he has been a professor of violin at the Musikuniversität in Vienna, and since 1993, a guest professor of chamber music at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne. For over 30 years, he was a member of the world-renowned Alban Berg Quartet, with which he performed at all major music centers worldwide. After the quartet disbanded in 2008, he founded the Waldstein Ensemble (piano quartet). In 2009, he made his conducting debut with the Copenhagen Philharmonic and has since devoted himself passionately to his students.
Marc Danel has been the artistic director and head teacher of the NSKA since 2011, succeeding founder Stefan Metz. He has coached Dutch quartets such as Ragazze, Dudok, Ardemus, and Animato, as well as foreign ensembles like Quatuor Varèse and Quatuor Agate.
Born in 1969, Marc Danel studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne. He is the first violinist of the Quatuor Danel, which received its training from the Amadeus Quartet, Valentin Berlinsky (Borodin Quartet), and Fyodor Drushinin (Beethoven Quartet). The quartet is considered the successor to the legendary Russian Beethoven Quartet and the Belgian Pro Arte Quartet.
Stefan Metz studied cello in Bucharest and furthered his studies with Paul Tortelier. A masterclass by the Amadeus Quartet brought him to the Netherlands, where he began his international career. He founded the Orlando Quartet and the Orlando Festival, and shared the stage with artists such as Heinz Holliger, Nobuko Imai, Gidon Kremer, Menahem Pressler, the Borodin Quartet, and members of the Amadeus Quartet. He conducted masterclasses worldwide and served as a jury member at prestigious competitions in Bordeaux, Florence, London, Moscow, and Prague.
Stefan Metz was instrumental in the founding of NSKA and served as artistic director and head teacher from 2001 to 2011. To this day, he remains closely involved as a dedicated teacher and esteemed advisor.
Concert 21 november 2025 20:15
De Doelen, Rotterdam
Soprano Elisabeth Hetherington and the ADAM Quartet explore the intersections between voice and string instruments. Hetherington's expressive delivery and versatility seamlessly complement the detailed and inventive playing of the ADAM Quartet. With a program that stretches the boundaries between vocal and instrumental music, they show how voice and strings strengthen, challenge, and elevate each other to another level.
Elisabeth Hetherington
The Canadian-Dutch soprano Elisabeth Hetherington was awarded the Dutch Music Prize in 2024 at De Doelen and stands out with her expressive interpretations of early, modern, and contemporary repertoire. Her background in modern dance fuels her multidisciplinary approach, seamlessly combining singing and movement in innovative productions. She is praised for her virtuosity, expressiveness, and visual performance. On January 17, 2026, she will also be heard in Andriessen's De Materie with Asko|Schönberg, and on May 9, 2026, she will perform with the Orchestra of the 18th Century.
ADAM Quartet
The ADAM Quartet is a young and energetic string quartet that explores the classical repertoire with a fresh perspective. They combine traditional works with contemporary compositions and regularly collaborate with artists from other genres. The quartet has performed on major Dutch and international stages and festivals, and has been following the postgraduate program at the Dutch String Quartet Academy since 2022.
Program:
Dean String Quartet No.2
Schönberg String Quartet No.2
Shaw Other song & Cant voi l'aube
Montgomery Break away (string quartet only)
Concert 22 november 2025 20:00
Edesche Concertzaal
Inspired by the resilient marigold flower, the Marigold Piano Quartet brings color, warmth, and intensity to every performance. The ensemble was founded in 2022 in Amsterdam and consists of Ruña 't Hart (violin), Connie Pharoah (viola), Kalle de Bie (cello), and guest pianist Seán Morgan-Rooney. Despite their young existence, the quartet has made an impression on stages such as the Concertgebouw and TivoliVredenburg. With sincere expression, the ensemble explores repertoire from all stylistic periods. During this concert, the four musicians shed light on two touching piano quartets by Fauré and Schumann.
Concert 23 november 2025 14:00
Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen
After their very successful performance in the previous season, we are happy to program the Skazka string quartet again.
The Skazka String Quartet is a new face in the Dutch concert landscape. They are already known from the Grachtenfestival, Podium Klassiek, performances in the Spiegelzaal, and with us at the CruquiusConcerts. They received the String Quartet Scholarship 2024 from the Kersjes Fund. The quartet is the Russian word for fairytale and that is exactly what the quartet aims to achieve: telling stories.
Violinist Lena ter Schegget completed her master's degree in 2020 as a student of Chris Duindam at the Utrecht Conservatory. She previously studied with Gerhard Schulz in Vienna and Sebastian Hamann in Freiburg.
Violinist Dmitri Ivanov studied successively with Ilona Sie Dhian Ho, Christiaan Bor, and Benzion Shamir, with whom he completed his bachelor's degree at the Rotterdam Conservatory. He continued his studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Peter Brunt and Philippe Graffin.
Violist Sam Tsai studied at the Tainan National University of the Arts ( Taiwan ) and at the Amsterdam Conservatory.
Cellist Emma Besselaar studied in Amsterdam with Quirine Viersen and continued her studies at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London with Louise Hopkins. After graduating, she was appointed Guildhall Artist Fellow for two consecutive years.
The quartet plays Leos Janácek's string quartet no. 1, the 'Kreutzer Sonata,' which he wrote after reading Tolstoy's novella of the same name: a story about love and jealousy, in which all emotions come to a climax during a performance of Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata. The music tells the story through Janácek's characteristic style, with repeating motifs, strong rhythmic elements, and a wealth of special techniques. In addition, the quartet plays various Russian composers who have in common that they are based on variations of a Russian theme. They close the concert with Beethoven's string quartet op. 59 no. in F.
Concert 23 november 2025 20:00
De Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam
Meet the string quartets of the future in the brand new String Quartet Series at the Waalse Kerk, in collaboration with the Dutch String Quartet Academy. Young ensembles full of energy breathe new life into the great classics and embark on adventure with surprising, contemporary works. Order a drink, sit back, and let yourself be carried away in our centuries-old church in the heart of Amsterdam. The Adam Quartet participated in the post-academic quartet NSKA 2022-2025 program, come listen to their closing presentation concert!
Concert 25 november 2025 11:00
Het Seminarie, Amersfoort
The Utrecht Piano Trio, consisting of Lisa Angelia Tanto (piano, from Indonesia), Maria Soeiro (cello, from Portugal), and Leonoor van de Merwe (violin, from the Netherlands), was founded in 2021 at HKU Conservatorium Utrecht. Since their first performances, the trio has received much recognition and has been invited to perform at venues such as Het Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Tivolivredenburg (Utrecht), Concertgebouw de Vereeniging (Nijmegen), Theater Orpheus (Apeldoorn), Utrecht City Hall, Woudkapel (Bilthoven), and in smaller venues throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. The Utrecht Piano Trio won the 3rd prize at the IX International Music Competition Triomphe de l'Art - Chamber music 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, and the 3rd prize at the Chamber Music Competition Gelre 2023 in the Netherlands. The trio recently performed the Beethoven Triple Concerto with the Jong Talent Orkest Rotterdam under the direction of Mikhail Zemtsov. The trio is a member of the Dutch String Quartet Academy (NSKA), received a scholarship to participate in a chamber music masterclass and festival Aula de Cámara Airas Nunes in Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in 2022, participated in the Meisterakademie of Konz Musik Festival in Konz, Germany in 2023, and received a scholarship to participate in the Davidsbündler Music Academy for Chamber Music in the Netherlands in 2023. The trio was coached by Sebastian Koloski and received masterclasses from Wouter Vossen (Storioni Trio), Gregor Sigl (Artemis Quartet), Luc-Marie Aguera (Ysaye Quartet), Johannes Meissl (Artis Quartet), Gerhard Schulz (Alban Berg Quartett), the Busch Trio (Mathieu van Bellen, Ori Epstein, Omri Epstein), Xavier Gagnepain (Rosamonde Kwartet), Joris van Rijn, Niall Brown, Anna Zassimova, Andreas Frölich, Denis Brott, Klára Würtz, Joseph Moog, Timora Rosler, Viola de Hoog, Annemarie Konijnenburg, Elisabeth Perry, Richard Wolfe, Isabelle Trüb, Kennedy Moretti, Andras Kemenes, and the Prazak Quartet.
Concert 26 november 2025 15:30
Limonaia, de citroenbomenkas van Villa Augustus
With the program 'Terra Memoria', the quartet presents a touching beautiful program that touches you deep in the soul. In addition to music by Gesualdo, Mussorgsky, and Liszt, this concert features Schubert's masterful string quartet Death and the Maiden, one of the saddest and best works in the chamber music literature. Also, in Saariaho's second string quartet Terra Memoria, death plays an important role. She juxtaposes the immobile state of the deceased with the still developing memories we cherish of them. In those memories, they live on.
“We show and hear that the music we play is not old or new, but always relevant” - Dudok Quartet Amsterdam.
Program:
Joseph Haydn - Introduzione from 'The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross'
Modest Mussorgsky - Songs and Dances of Death - Lullaby
Carlo Gesualdo - Moro, lasso, al mio duolo
Kaija Saariaho - Terra Memoria
Franz Liszt - Via Crucis - Consummatum est - O Traurigkeit - Jesus wird vom Kreuz genommen
Franz Schubert - String Quartet in D minor D810 'Der Tod und das Mädchen'
Concert 27 november 2025 20:00
Het Van Gogh Kerkje, Nuenen
A dragon with four heads – that's how you can imagine the Dokwerk Saxophone Quartet: four powerful voices sharing one breath. And yes, sometimes this dragon also breathes fire.
Known for their infectious energy and fearless musicianship, Dokwerk is a regular winner at international chamber music competitions. Highlights include: 1st prize in the chamber music category of the International Competition “Vítor Santos” 2021 (Portugal), 1st prize in the Italian competition for contemporary music ‘Reate’ (Italy), and both 1st prize and the Podium Prize at the Dutch ‘Chamber Music Competition Gelre 2022’. In 2025, they won the Audience Award at the Schiermonnikoog Festival. In the 2025/26 season, they will tour the 14 leading concert halls of the Netherlands as finalists of the Dutch Classical Talent Award.
Hailing from Germany, Taiwan, Italy, and Portugal, the four saxophonists met in Amsterdam, where – inspired by their new shared home – they named their ensemble Dokwerk, a Dutch name. Since then, they represent a new generation of the Dutch saxophone school – embracing and expanding it with adventurous and stimulating programs. Dokwerk surprises and captivates audiences with performances full of energy, enthusiasm, and unexpected twists. Lisa, Jen-Hong, Ileana, and Pedro believe in creating an intimate bond with their listeners – sometimes lightning-fast and powerful, sometimes soft and touching, always compelling.
They have performed in iconic venues such as the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, TivoliVredenburg, De Doelen, and Muziekgebouw Eindhoven, and are regularly heard on Dutch radio and television.
In 2022, Dokwerk joined the prestigious Dutch String Quartet Academy (NSKA) – a groundbreaking and inspiring chapter in their development. Under the artistic direction of Marc Danel, and immersed in the rich tradition of string quartet playing, they continue to shape their own identity as a saxophone quartet – an identity that honors tradition while also charting new artistic paths.
Concert 27 november 2025 20:15
Paleiskerk, Den Haag
A deep spiritual affinity
Hungarian composer György Kurtág feels a deep personal connection with Robert Schumann; both consider music to be the purest form of personal expression. Kurtág's Hommage à Schumann for clarinet, viola, and piano is one of his most poignant works, and gains even more meaning when juxtaposed with Schumann's beloved Piano Quartet.
Kurtág's Hungarian background is strongly present in his virtuosic Three Pieces for clarinet and cimbalom, in which both instruments are pushed to their limits. The internationally renowned Animato Quartet performs Béla Bartók's First String Quartet, a work that skillfully bridges the gap between the romantic and Hungarian musical traditions, seamlessly fitting into Kurtág's musical universe. Emerging composer Jasper de Bock adds a touch of experimental playfulness with 1001 Strokes for violin, while Léon Weiner's Két tétel for clarinet and cimbalom shines once again in what promises to be a captivating conclusion to the opening night.
Concert 30 november 2025 11:00
Theater 't Voorhuys
The Skazka Quartet, founded in 2020, is a new face in the Dutch quartet landscape. Skazka (скáзка) is the Russian word for fairytale, and that is exactly what the quartet aims for: storytelling. Since winning the Storioni Competition in 2022, they have made their appearance in several major Dutch venues, including the Concertgebouw, TivoliVredenburg, and De Doelen. They are the recipients of the String Quartet Scholarship 2024 from the Kersjes Fund.
Concert 30 november 2025 11:00
Sint Aegtenkapel
This concert presents the ADAM Quartet with their debut album Exquisite Corpse. The album is a musical collage where traditional repertoire and new compositions come together in the eponymous surrealistic play. Similar to the game, the individual parts create a surprising, collective whole. At the center is the Bach chorale Aus meines Herzens Grunde, which reappears in fragments as connecting interludes. Each quartet member contributes individually to this layered composition, in which classical and modern elements enhance and distort each other. Exquisite Corpse embodies ADAM as one musical body with a dynamic, joint vision.
Program:
Interlude I
Cavatina, String Quartet No.13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130 – Ludwig Van Beethoven
Interlude II
John Adams – Toot Nipple
Interlude III
My Desert My Rose – Aleksandra Vrebalov
Interlude IV
Aus meines Herzens Grunde – Johann Sebastian Bach
Keizersgracht 241
1016 EA Amsterdam
info@nska.nl
