“The quartet is already one of the finest: perfectly unanimous, colorful and original” (Alfred Brendel). Launched in Berlin in 2019 and inspired by the Esperanto word for "lionheart," Leonkoro Quartet is comprised of string-players Jonathan and Lukas Schwarz, Amelie Wallner, and Mayu Konoe. Their swift rise in classical music is highlighted by their victory at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition and their selection for the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists program. Capturing hearts in Europe's premier venues and festivals, Leonkoro's blend of youthful exuberance and mature musical insight makes them a standout ensemble of their generation.
Concert Details
Estimated duration: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Brief welcome remarks
Joseph Haydn – String Quartet in F Major, Op. 50, No. 5 “Dream”
18 min
Alban Berg – Lyric Suite
28 min
Intermission
20 min
Felix Mendelssohn – String Quartet No. 4 in E minor, Op. 44, No. 2
25 min
Listen to the music on Spotify
All timings are approximate. Program and artists subject to change.
Featured Performers
LEONKORO QUARTET
Jonathan Schwarz and Amelie Wallner, violin
Mayu Konoe, viola
Lukas Schwarz, cello
“The Leonkoro Quartett...has an enormous stage presence, glows for the music, takes full risks and amazes with its empathy for the respective sound of the pieces....” Leonkoro Quartett, founded in Berlin in 2019, can hardly be described more aptly than in the review published in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in January 2022.
The ensemble is framed by the brothers Jonathan and Lukas Schwarz on first violin and cello, while the middle voices are formed by Amelie Wallner on second violin and Mayu Konoe on viola. Leonkoro, in Esperanto: Lionheart, does not coincidentally allude to Astrid Lindgren's children's book about two brothers, the story juxtaposes the grave reality of death with a large and heartfelt yearning for comfort and solace - a sentiment that string quartet repertoire addresses in several instances.
In 2022, the Leonkoro Quartett garnered a series of prestigious accolades, solidifying their place among the most celebrated ensembles of their generation. In March, they were bestowed with the highly prestigious Jürgen Ponto Foundation Music Prize, a biennial award recognizing outstanding string quartets. Subsequently, the quartet triumphed at the International String Quartet Competition held at London's Wigmore Hall, earning 1st prize and a collection of 9 special awards, including interpretations, residencies, and concert prizes.
Continuing their triumphant journey, the quartet seized the top honours - 1st prize - at the Concours International de Quatuor à Bordeaux in May. Their exceptional performances not only impressed the esteemed jury but also captivated the audience, resulting in the quartet receiving both the Audience Prize and the Young Audience Prize. Shortly thereafter, they were invited to join BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists program, where they will participate from 2022 to 2024.
November 2022 witnessed yet another remarkable achievement for the quartet when they were bestowed with the MERITO String Quartet Award. Unlike conventional competitions, this award recognizes selected quartets over a year, as they are observed by a panel of renowned string quartet musicians. The Leonkoro Quartett's exceptional musicianship and talent were duly acknowledged, and they will be supported by the MERITO String Instrument Trust for four years including a composition commission.
The quartet's international recognition commenced in the summer of 2021 when, as the youngest ensemble, they claimed 2nd prize (in the absence of a 1st prize) and the coveted Audience Prize at the renowned Premio Paolo Borciani International String Quartet Competition.
Alongside their academic pursuits in chamber music under the tutelage of Heime Müller (Artemis Quartet) at Musikhochschule Lübeck, the quartet has been studying with Günter Pichler (Primarius Alban Berg Quartet) at Chamber Music Institute of the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía Madrid since 2020. Notable mentors of the ensemble include Eckart Runge and Gregor Sigl (Artemis Quartet), as well as pianist Alfred Brendel, with whom the Leonkoro Quartett maintains a regular collaboration.
In autumn 2023, the quartet will release its highly anticipated debut album, featuring Ravel's String Quartet and Schumann's third quartet, on the Mirare label.
In the 2023/2024 season, Leonkoro Quartett will make debuts at Berlin Philharmonie, Kölner Philharmonie, Flagey Brussels, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Konzerthaus Wien, to name a few, and will take the musicians to renowned festivals such as Rheingau Music Festival, the String Quartet Biennale Paris, Heidelberg Fruehling. Furthermore, the quartet continues its residency in Leeds.
The Leonkoro Quartett represents Pirastro as Pirastro Artists and serves as Henle App Ambassadors.
Jonathan Schwarz's sound is brought to life by a cremonese violin by Girolamo Amati II (1696) generously loaned to him by Emmanuel Jaeger through ProQuartet.
Amelie Wallner plays a Vicenzo Postiglione violin, generously provided by a private donor.
Mayu Konoe plays a privately owned viola.
Lukas Schwarz plays a cello by Carlo Tononi, Venice (approx. 1720) loaned by the Beares International Violin Society.
Sample the Music
Joseph Haydn – String Quartet in F Major, Op. 50, No. 5 “Dream”
Alban Berg – Lyric Suite
Felix Mendelssohn – String Quartet No. 4 in E minor, Op. 44, No. 2