Amsterdam-based string quartet Kwartet aan ’t IJ invites you to an intimate afternoon of chamber music on Sunday, 1 November, joined by guest cellist Justus van Iterson - specifically, an hour to celebrate one single magnificent work, Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major.

Written just months before his death, this string quintet by the Austrian composer Franz Schubert is often regarded as one of the great masterpieces in the chamber music repertoire. Its haunting, melancholic melodies are set against moments of energy, warmth, and joyful movement, creating a work of extraordinary emotional depth and contrast. The five instruments - violins, viola, celli - constantly respond to and weave around one another, passing melodies between voices and creating a rich, musical conversation.

The concert takes place at the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam, beginning at 15:15, with a duration of approximately one hour.

We look forward to welcoming you!

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Formed in November 2024 through connections made across orchestras and chamber music projects, Kwartet aan ’t IJ brings together four musicians - Julie Chen (violin), Amanda Tse (violin), Kata Balogh (viola), and Clym Stock-Williams (cello) - all based in the Netherlands, each bringing their own musical background and personality to the ensemble. As a quartet, we have been honoured to learn from members of the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Ruysdael Quartet, Cuarteto Casals, Wihan Quartet, and other distinguished musicians.

For this concert, we are delighted to collaborate with Dutch cellist Justus van Iterson. Justus studied in the preparatory programme at the Utrecht Conservatory with Jeroen den Herder, and continued his studies with Douw Fonda. He has also received coaching and lessons from Timora Rosler, Chris Duindam, and others. As a cellist, he has served as principal of the UvA Orchestra J.Pzn Sweelinck, the Klassiek Collectief, and Caecilia Camerata. Alongside his orchestral work, he is an active chamber musician and regularly performs as a continuo player with a variety of ensembles and musical projects.