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One of Britain’s foremost chamber ensembles with a unique concert and recording history

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The Fitzwilliam Quartet is one of the longest established quartets in the world, founded in 1968

The quartet initially achieved international recognition for their diverse repertoire and their well-documented personal connection with Dmitri Shostakovich. The composer reportedly told Benjamin Britten that the Fitzwilliam were his “preferred partners of my quartets”. Shostakovich entrusted them with the Western premières of the last three of his quartets, and before long they had become the first ever group to perform and record all fifteen. Gramophone described the recordings as amongst the '100 Greatest Recordings' of all time, and they were twice Grammy-nominated for Best Chamber Music Performance: Quartet No.14, 1977; and Quartets Nos.5&6, 1980. These discs, which gained many international awards, secured for the quartet a worldwide concert schedule and a long-term recording contract with Decca.

While the Fitzwilliam Quartet’s pre-eminence in the interpretation of these works has persisted, the authority gained has also been put to the service of a diverse list of other composers from the late 17th century to the present day. The quartet has appeared regularly across the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle and Far East and Southern Africa, and has made many award winning recordings, not only for Decca, but also for Linn and Divine Art.

Clare Hall, University of Cambridge

The Fitzwilliam Quartet perform the Schumann piano quintet Op 44 with Patrick Hemmerlé, Haydn's string quartet Op 76/6 and Nigel Osborne's new string quartet about the Ukraine war, Birnam Wood.

Saturday, November 14, 2026
7:30 PM

Clare Hall, University of Cambridge

The Fitzwilliam Quartet perform Mozart’s Quartet in G major, K.387, ‘The Spring’, Caroline Shaw’s Plan and Elevation and Beethoven’s Quartet in E-flat major, Op.74, ‘The Harp’.

Saturday, January 23, 2027
7:30 PM

Clare Hall, University of Cambridge

The Fitzwilliam Quartet perform Mozart’s string quartet in F K.590, a new work by Peter Fribbins, inspired by Dowland’s famous Lachrymae and Beethoven’s string quartet in F, Op. 135.

Saturday, March 6, 2027
7:30 PM

Upcoming Courses and Events

Benslow Music

Benslow Music, Hitchin

Friday 20 to Sunday 22 February 2026

A residential course with the Fitzwilliam String Quartet where most aspects of quartet playing are covered including leading, achieving good ensemble, balance and intonation, exploring tonal colours, phrasing and musical style.

“Superb – probably the best music course I have been on.”

Strings in Spring

Laidlaw Music Centre, University of St Andrews

Thursday 30 April to Sunday 3 May 2026

Strings in Spring is a highly popular annual chamber music course during which the Fitzwilliam String Quartet tutors visiting amateur and student string quartets from across the UK and Europe.

“Stimulating and wonderfully enjoyable”

Thursday 9 to Saturday 11 April 2026

Beethoven, Elgar & Schumann: A Luxury Oxford Music Retreat

Immerse yourself in a sublime two-day classical music retreat in the heart of Oxford! Join musicologist Richard Wigmore, the Fitzwilliam Quartet and pianist Simon Callaghan for an unforgettable exploration of late Beethoven, Elgar's powerful Piano Quintet and Schumann's piano dance suite Carnaval.

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In a personal letter on his String Quartet No. 13, York University:
"…The Fitzwilliam Quartet, whom I admire very much. Thank you for a superlative performance of my thirteenth quartet."

D. Shostakovich1972
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“The Fitzwilliam String Quartet, in my opinion, is, and has been for many years, Britain’s premier string quartet ensemble…….a flagship British ensemble that should be the pride of that nation.”

Jerry DubinsFanfare 2015
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Shostakovich String Quartet No. 4, Borodin String Quartet No. 2, Wigmore Hall:
“The Fitzwilliam in its reincarnated state, with Lucy Russell as leader, captured the soul of the music [Shostakovich No.4] in their absorption with every gesture and shading. Borodin’s Quartet No.2 was played with similar passion and an effortlessly rich collective tone.”

The StradJuly 1997
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Concert, Doncaster Art Gallery:
“The Fitzwilliam is a world-class quartet, and recently graced the Museum with playing of breathtaking precision, outstanding concentration, marvellous style and authority. They afforded astonishing variety of mood and period covering 300 years – do we have a more versatile quartet? A gorgeous musical experience.”

Philip ScowcroftDoncaster Free Press 1998
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Delius String Quartet, Bradford University:
“This was the best performance of the Delius Quartet I have ever heard.”

Eric Fenby1980
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Concert, Grahamstown, National Arts Festival, South Africa:
“Touches like these are what give the Fitzwilliam, for whom bold programming and superb playing are equal music, the edge over most other quartets in the world. The standing ovation, which a packed house gave them was not only for their integrated sound and fine ensemble, it was clearly also for the revelation of new worlds in old works.”

CueJune 2001
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Djanogly Recital Hall, University of Nottingham :
"It was a revelation to hear Bruckner’s quintet played on instruments with this gut string set-up appropriate to the time of its composition, and to hear it performed with a flexible lyricism that has become a rare thing in Bruckner performance. But above all this was a performance that communicated splendidly the work’s generous and tender heart and the profundity of its composer's vision."

Ken WardThe Bruckner Journal, 2011

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Explore the Ftizwilliam String Quartet's Discography

Sample programmes

See sample concert programmes

Repertoire

Explore the quartet's repertoire