For decades, the Hagen Quartet has been synonymous with the highest level of chamber music perfection and interpretative depth. At Friedensburg Stadtschlaining, one of the world's most renowned string quartets presents its unmistakable ensemble playing—characterized by stylistic clarity, tonal sophistication, and a shared musical history that is second to none.
The Hagen Quartet is one of the few ensembles that has made it to the top of the international chamber music market. Founded in Salzburg in the 1970s, it is now one of the world's leading string quartets. The ensemble celebrated its first successes shortly after its founding when it won first prize at Jugend musiziert. The quartet's career received a significant boost when it was invited by Gidon Kremer to the first Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival in 1981, which the members now indirectly refer to as the birth of the Hagen Quartet.
They have been playing together in the same line-up since 1987, and their concert repertoire encompasses practically the entire string quartet literature. The ensemble received particular attention for its complete recording of Mozart's quartet compositions. The quartet has received numerous awards for its achievements, including the coveted ECHO Klassik. In addition, the ensemble has been an honorary member of the Vienna Konzerthaus since 2012. The Hagen Quartet received special recognition in 2013 when, following the dissolution of the Tokyo String Quartet, they were given access to the four Stradivari instruments named after the violinist Niccolò Paganini.
March 4, 2026
