Bennewitz Quartet

The Bennewitz Quartet was founded in 1998 by four young Czech musicians studying at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. Since then, this fine ensemble has distinguished itself as one of the premiere string quartets in the world. In 2005, the group won the Osaka International Music Competition and, in 2008, the Prémio Paolo Borciani in Italy. Critics have acclaimed Bennewitz performances in superlatives.

Recent performance venues have included Wigmore Hall, Musikverein Wien, Konzerthaus Berlin, Théâtre des Champs Elysées, The Frick Collection, and many European music festivals. Known for playing with warmth and insight, these four musicians have contributed significantly to musical life in the Czech Republic. They have recently recorded Leoš Janáček’s string quartets and performed with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

The quartet is named after Antonín Bennewitz, violinist and director of a music conservatory in Prague, who is credited with the establishment of the Czech school of violin. The ensemble’s members are Jakub Fišer, 1st violin, Štěpán Ježek, 2nd violin, Jiří Pinkas, viola, and Štěpán Doležal, violoncello.