Danish String Quartet receives the Léonie Sonning Music Prize 2025
An evening that celebrated the finest elements of chamber music. The Danish String Quartet was awarded the Léonie Sonning Music Prize 2025 at a unique tribute concert featuring the DR Girls’ Choir, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, and a moving communal sing-along. The event took place at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen—the very same concert hall where the quartet first gained prominence as young musicians.
The prize was presented by the patron of the Léonie Sonning Music Foundation, His Majesty King Frederik of Denmark.
This tribute concert marked a historic occasion, as it was the first time the award was given to an ensemble rather than an individual artist. Since their debut 23 years ago, the Danish String Quartet has established itself as one of the world’s leading classical ensembles—a status made abundantly clear during the concert.
The first half of the concert offered a curated musical journey from the Baroque era to contemporary works—a narrative arc that illustrated not only music history, but also the artistic journey of the quartet itself. Together with the DR Girls’ Choir, they elevated the music and invited the audience to join in a communal rendition of the Danish classic “Solen er så rød, mor.”
In the second half, the quartet took centre stage as soloists alongside the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, performing John Adams’ Absolute Jest—a modern masterpiece for string quartet and orchestra, directly inspired by Beethoven’s legendary late string quartets from the 1820s.
Listen to the full concert here
Motivation
Katrine Ganer Skaug, Vice Chair of the Léonie Sonning Music Foundation, explained the selection in the following speech:
“Since 1959, a number of both international and Danish musical figures have received this prize. But for the first time, we’ve chosen to award it to a collective. Why? The simple answer is: because the Danish String Quartet exists. Dear Danish String Quartet, whenever I hear you play, I always think, I love music! You recreate and elevate a proud and ancient tradition of craftsmanship to lyrical heights and emotional depths. For many, the string quartet repertoire is the crown jewel of music history. That said, with great beauty comes great risk. But you stand as role models within the global music scene and for a broad, diverse audience.”
She continued:
“The great thing about your concerts is hearing those teenagers from Askov resonate through the music—filtered through a mature sound. An immediate devotion to the music you play, regardless of genre, and a constant search for new discoveries and connections. It’s infectious. It’s what we simply call joy of playing.”
His Majesty King Frederik, protector of the Leonie Sonnings Music Foundation, motivated:
“The Léonie Sonning Music Prize 2025, including an award of 1,000,000 Danish kroner, is presented to the Danish String Quartet: Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen, Frederik Øland, Asbjørn Nørgaard, and Fredrik Sjölin.
In addition to being four outstanding instrumentalists, the Danish String Quartet is a unique musical collective. Classical chamber music, contemporary compositions, and Nordic folk music coexist seamlessly in their repertoire, and their playing is marked by both great authority and sensitivity. With this deeply personal artistic approach, the Danish String Quartet inspires fellow musicians and unleashes musical energy that transcends genre boundaries.”
The Danish String Quartet is deeply honored to receive the Léonie Sonning Music Prize 2025. On behalf of the ensemble, violist Asbjørn Nørgaard expressed:
“It’s a tremendous honor for us to receive this award. We were speechless when we heard the news—and in many ways, we still are. The list of past recipients is awe-inspiring: great conductors, composers, and musicians. To be included on this list—and as the first ensemble ever—is a tremendous honor!”
He elaborated on Denmark’s prominent role in chamber music:
“We in Denmark are world champions in chamber music and ensemble playing. We’re the fourth generation of string quartets in Denmark, and today we have a rich ecosystem of chamber music ensembles,” adding:
“Denmark really excels in chamber music. We’re part of that tradition, but we also believe we’ve helped bring it to a new level—onto the international stage, so to speak.
What the Danish Press wrote on The Danish String Quartet
Prize Concert with DR Girls’ Choir and Danish National Symphony Orchestra, June 5, 2025
“Applause, and then straight into the slow movement of Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, Death and the Maiden (1824). A theme from a line of the same name with five variations. All four musicians contributed to the embellishment and transformation of death’s recitative, playing with sensitivity and restraint—even in passages where Schubert allows for greater emotional force.
‘Often I’m joyful, yet wish to weep, for no heart fully shares my joy’—he might have said, though it was B.S. Ingemann. The girls’ choir and conductor Charlotte Rowan entered humming during the prelude and then sang Carl Nielsen’s melody in unison. It was a DSQ arrangement with several quotes from Schubert’s line, and when the final verse swept up the orchestra, it grew intense in contrast to the melancholic lyrics. Irmelin Rose gained a bolder guise, and with Solen er så rød, mor as a communal song and lush string backing, the hall nearly erupted in spontaneous harmony.”
Valdemar Lønsted, Dagbladet Information,
Prize Concert with DR Girls’ Choir and Danish National Symphony Orchestra, June 5, 2025
“They moved perceptibly in and out of history, in and out of focus: one moment distant and explorative, the next so vivid that the music gained flesh and blood.
This movement across time defined the concert—and truly came to the fore after intermission, when the full orchestra, led by the quartet, performed American post-minimalist John Adams’ Absolute Jest from 2012.”
Sune Anderberg, Kristeligt Dagblad
Minifestival with The Danish String Quartet
To mark the award, the Danish public had a rare chance to experience the Danish String Quartet up close.
In May and June 2025, the quartet presented an ambitious concert series showcasing their artistic breadth and curious approach to format and genre. Audiences experienced everything from intimate Gold Concerts in Svendborg, Aarhus, Roskilde, and Copenhagen to a new music-dramatic production with actor Lars Mikkelsen at Bellevue Theatre, as well as a folk music event at Refshaleøen.
The series culminated on June 5 with the grand prize concert at the Royal Danish Academy of Music’s concert hall, where the quartet performed with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and the DR Girls’ Choir.
About The Danish String Quartet
The Danish String Quartet consists of Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen (violin), Frederik Øland (violin), Asbjørn Nørgaard (viola), and Fredrik Sjölin (cello). Until 2008, the cellist was Carl-Oscar Østerlind.
The quartet is renowned for its technical perfection, infectious musicality, and innovative programming. It has won top prizes in numerous national and international competitions, including DR’s Chamber Music Competition (2004), Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition (2005), and the London International String Quartet Competition (2009). They have also received the Carl Nielsen Prize (2011) and the Wilhelm Hansen Foundation Honorary Award (2015).
They have twice served as artists-in-residence with the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (2006, 2018), as well as at Lincoln Center in New York (2013–2016), BBC New Generation Artists (2013–2015), and Musical America’s Ensemble of the Year (2020).
Their recordings include the complete string quartets of Carl Nielsen (Dacapo, 2007–08), which earned critical acclaim and Editor’s Choice honors from Gramophone Magazine. Their albums Wood Works (Dacapo, 2013) and Last Leaf (ECM, 2016), featuring Nordic folk music, were international sensations and won multiple awards—including Album of the Year 2017 from NPR and several DR P2 awards. In August 2024, they released Keel Road (ECM), their third folk-focused album.
100 Concerts Annually in Cities like London, New York og Berlin
On the esteemed ECM label, the quartet released the PRISM project (2018–2023)—five recordings presenting Beethoven’s late string quartets in new contexts. The series earned widespread acclaim and Grammy nominations.
In 2020, they launched Doppelgänger, a four-year project in collaboration with Carnegie Hall. The series pairs newly commissioned works by Bent Sørensen, Lotta Wennäkoski, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, and Thomas Adès with Schubert’s string quartet masterpieces.
The Danish String Quartet performs roughly 100 concerts annually at the world’s major venues, including Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, Berlin Philharmonie, and Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.
They also curate several classical music events in Denmark—most notably their annual DSQ Festival, now in its 18th year, and the Series of Four concert series, which they have led since 2016. The quartet is ensemble-in-residence at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and, since 2022, has hosted the annual DSQ Academy in Kerteminde—a program dedicated to shaping the next generation of musicians.
Program for Danish String Quartet in May-June 2025
Gold concerts
May 18: Svendborg, Borgerforeningen in collaboration with Svendborg Chamber Music Society
May 19: Aarhus, Helsingør Theatre in collaboration with Aarhus Music Society. Get tickets here
May 20: Roskilde, Hotel Prindsen
May 21: Copenhagen, Odd Fellow Palace in collaboration with Series of Four. Get tickets here
Under the heading Gold concerts, the traditional chamber concert is celebrated from May 18-21, 2025. These four intimate concerts bring the audience close to the quartet and the music in some of Denmark’s most beautiful old chamber music halls: The Gold Hall in Svendborg, Helsingør Theatre in Aarhus, Prindsen in Roskilde, and the Odd Fellow Palace in Copenhagen. The concerts are organized in collaboration with local music societies, and the concert in Copenhagen is part of the quartet’s Series of Four. In connection with the Gold concerts, masterclasses are planned at the conservatories in Odense, Aarhus, and Copenhagen.
Musical theater performance with Lars Mikkelsen at Bellevue Theatre
Performance: May 26
Letters and string quartets by Shostakovich form the basis for the musical theater performance I Press Your Hands Warmly. The text was developed by violinist Asbjørn Nørgaard with the Danish String Quartet handling the musical arrangement. Words and phrases from Shostakovich’s letters are crafted into a monologue, performed by Lars Mikkelsen in the role of Shostakovich. The monologue is accompanied by a sound collage featuring fragments and sections from the composer’s fifteen string quartets, creating a cohesive dramaturgical flow. This gripping performance offers an intimate portrayal of Shostakovich, unlike anything seen before. The music drama will premiere in collaboration with Bellevue Theatre on May 26, 2025, and will tour internationally in 2026-2027.
Tunes & Trads – a folk music celebration
May 31 in Copenhagen,Pladeværkstedet, Refshaleøen
3 concerts, each one hour long
The Danish String Quartet has, for many years, arranged and programmed Nordic folk music alongside the great classical masterpieces. The quartet’s many critically acclaimed recordings of folk music, along with corresponding sheet music publications, have spread Nordic melodies around the world. On Saturday, May 31, 2025, the Danish String Quartet, together with two guest bands, will fill Pladeværkstedet (formerly part of B&W’s old shipyard on Refshaleøen) with folk music, dancing, and communal dining.
Prize Concert with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Danish National Girls’ Choir
June 5 at the Concert Hall of the Royal Danish Academy
1st half: A curated journey through string quartet and music history
2nd half: John Adams’ Absolute Jest
The Danish String Quartet has curated a very special prize concert. The first half of the concert offers a curated musical journey from the Baroque to the most contemporary music. This progression will both illustrate the history of music and tell the Danish String Quartet’s own story. The quartet is a classical string quartet with Haydn and Beethoven at their fingertips, but they are also shaped by Danish culture and intellectual history – by Carl Nielsen, community singing, and folk high schools. The members of the quartet are also modern, versatile musicians who can effortlessly switch between different musical genres, and this ability will also be demonstrated in the concert. In the second half of the concert, the Danish String Quartet will take on the role of soloists with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and perform John Adams’ Absolute Jest for quartet and orchestra: A modern masterpiece for string quartet and symphony orchestra, directly based on Beethoven’s legendary late string quartets from the 1820s.
Tickets will be on sale on the 11th of October 11am at DR Koncerthuset
