The Tejo Quartet had its origins when four Portuguese musicians living abroad met at a summer course held in Belém, on the banks of the Tejo (Tagus) river, to sight-read music together. They soon understood they shared an intense passion for music, and the enthusiasm to push their musical limits collectively made them go on to formalize the quartet.

Since its formation in December 2018, the quartet has already appeared in recital in the United Kingdom, France, and Portugal. In July 2019, the group was awarded the first prize at the Young Artists’ Prize in Portugal in the Senior Chamber Music category. The prize propelled the quartet to play extensively around the country, with appearances at major venues, such as Gulbenkian Foundation and Casa da Música, and music festivals such as Cistermúsica, Lisbon & Estoril, Jovens Músicos, and Setúbal.

Regarding their education, the Tejos were accepted at the West Dean College Masterclasses (UK) in 2018, where the group received intensive coaching from the Chilingirian Quartet. This academic year the quartet successfully auditioned at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Paris, where they will be coached by Miguel da Silva from the Ysaÿe Quartet.

Future projects include the recording of their first CD, which is supported by the GDA Foundation and will include only Portuguese music. They have also been invited to be part of Gulbenkian Foudantion’s String Quartet Festival.