Founded in 1985 as the Leningrad Quartet by three graduates of the Leningrad Conservatory, the Quartet blazed a trail through international chamber music competitions, winning First Prize at the All-Soviet Union String Quartet Competition, the Silver Medal and a Special Prize in Tokyo, First Prize and both Special Prizes in Florence, Italy, and First Prize and the "Grand Prix Musica Viva" in Melbourne, Australia.

When the city of Leningrad resumed its historic name, the quartet likewise changed its name to the St. Petersburg String Quartet. The SPSQ continues its ascendancy, building a reputation of worldwide proportions including a Grammy nomination, "Best Record" honors in both Stereo Review and Gramophone Magazines, and the Chamber Music America/WQXR Prize for Best CD of 2001. The Quartet held the respected position of Quartet-in-Residence at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music from 1999 to 2003.

In 2006, when entire musical world celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the birth of Dmitri Shostakovich, the St. Petersburg Quartet launched a concert tour of Great Britain, Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland performing 10 of the 15 Shostakovich's quartets.