Leonkoro Quartett

Source: impresariat-simmenauer.de

The string quartet, founded in Berlin in 2019, could hardly be more aptly described than in the review that appeared in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in January 2022.

The ensemble is framed by brothers Jonathan and Lukas Schwarz on first violin and cello, while Amelie Wallner on second violin and Mayu Konoe on viola form the middle voices. “Leonkoro,” from Esperanto meaning “Lionheart,” is not coincidentally a reference to Astrid Lindgren’s children’s book about two brothers, a story that contrasts the serious fact of death with a heartwarming amount of comfort – a theme that is also explored in many works of the string quartet repertoire.

In 2022, the Leonkoro Quartet received a series of prestigious awards and prizes, solidifying its place among the most sought-after ensembles of its generation. In March, the quartet was awarded the prestigious Jürgen-Ponto Music Prize, which is given every two years to outstanding string quartets. The quartet then triumphed at the International String Quartet Competition in the Wigmore Hall in London, winning 1st Prize and a series of 9 special prizes, including interpretation, residency, and concert prizes. In May, the quartet followed this success by winning 1st Prize at the Concours International de Quatuor à Bordeaux. Their performance impressed not only the distinguished jury but also captivated the audience, leading the quartet to win both the Audience Prize and the Young Audience Prize. Shortly thereafter, they were appointed to the prestigious BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Program, where they will be a part of the program from 2022 to 2024. In November 2022, they were also awarded the MERITO String Quartet Award.

The string of accolades continued: in March, the Leonkoro Quartet received the Young Talent Award from the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, laying the foundation for a long-term connection. Shortly afterward, it was announced that they had won the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, another great honor and wonderful support for the quartet and its work. At the beginning of the 24/25 season, the four musicians were awarded the Ensemble Prize of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival.

Alongside their studies in chamber music with Heime Müller (Artemis Quartet) at the Lübeck University of Music, the quartet has been studying since 2020 with Günter Pichler (first violinist of the Alban Berg Quartet) at the Chamber Music Institute of the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía in Madrid. The quartet’s esteemed mentors include Eckart Runge and Gregor Sigl (Artemis Quartet) as well as pianist Alfred Brendel, with whom the Leonkoro Quartet has a regular collaboration.

In the fall of 2023, the quartet released its debut album with Maurice Ravel’s String Quartet and Robert Schumann’s String Quartet Op. 41 No. 3 under the Mirare label, which was crowned with the Choc de Classica l’année 2023 just a few weeks later. Since the spring of 2024, the quartet has been under contract with the renowned label Alpha Classics.

The quartet has already celebrated many successful debuts in major international concert series and festivals in the past season. In this season, further engagements will follow, including performances at the Salzburg Festival, Philharmonie Luxembourg, Liederhalle Stuttgart, Tonhalle Zurich, Bozar Brussels, and Konzerthaus Dortmund. Additionally, the quartet will tour North America for the first time, with concerts in New York City, NY, Boston, MA, Montreal, QC, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, and San Francisco, CA, to name just a few.

The Leonkoro Quartet is a Pirastro Artist and a Henle App Ambassador.

Jonathan Schwarz plays a violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini, generously provided by Beare’s International Violin Society. Amelie Wallner plays a violin by Vicenzo Postiglione, generously provided by a private individual. Mayu Konoe plays a viola by Lorenzo Storioni, generously provided by a private individual. Lukas Schwarz plays a cello by Carlo Tononi, Venice (circa 1720), generously provided by Beare’s International Violin Society.