The Philharmonic String Quartet represents the young generation of musicians of the Berlin Philharmonic: cosmopolitan, versatile and artistically passionate. In the winter of 2018, three young Philharmonic members – Helena Madoka Berg (violin), Dorian Xhoxhi (violin) and Naoko Shimizu (viola) – founded a new ensemble out of a desire to make music together with enthusiasm. Together with Christoph Heesch (cello), who brings his experience as a soloist to this intimate setting of making music, they strive to inspire their listeners with fresh impulses and outstanding sound quality.

The musicians are aware that they are following in great footsteps: with the Philharmonic String Quartet they are continuing the venerable tradition of the Berlin Philharmonic’s ensembles, making chamber music at the highest level. All four musicians have won various top-class competitions and have vast experience in various chamber music formations. The Philharmonic String Quartet offers them the opportunity to create their own musical expression. They feel less committed to a certain style than to their virtuosity, and they follow the motto of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: “… because we love to talk to all kinds of masters – with the old and modern”.

Their repertoire includes works by the Viennese classics Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven, the great Romantics Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and important 20th-century composers such as Paul Hindemith, Anton Webern and Maurice Ravel.