Doric String Quartet

The Doric String Quartet brings elegance and intimacy both to the Classical canon and new music, with the depth and integrity of their interpretations winning them fans across the world. Having performed complete cycles of Haydn, Mendelssohn and Bartók at the most prominent European venues, including Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Vienna Konzerthaus and Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, the players have turned their attention to Beethoven and Britten. The first instalment of their Beethoven cycle was released in 2023, and was praised by The Times as ‘a joy’. The series culminates in 2026–27, in time for the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death. 

Their intellectual rigour has led them to use specially made original-style bows for performing Classical repertoire from Haydn to Mendelssohn. While they are known for their refined performances of this repertoire, they are also committed to new music, performing works by composers such as Brett Dean, Thomas Adès, Héloïse Werner, Eleanor Alberga and Andrea Tarrodi. Their curiosity and flexibility are represented by a discography of more than 20 recordings for Chandos, with whom they have recorded exclusively since 2010, ranging from Purcell to John Adams.

The quartet often performs repertoire for string quartet and orchestra. This includes Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro and John Adams’ Absolute Jest, which has become a firm part of its repertoire since it gave the Austrian premiere at Vienna Konzerthaus with Vienna Symphony Orchestra and John Adams. 

In the 2025–26 season, the quartet return to Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Wigmore Hall, make its debut at Shanghai Symphony Hall and present the complete Britten cycle at De Bijloke in Ghent, commemorating 50th years since the composer’s death.