Winner of the International String Quartet Competition and awarded the prestigious Jürgen Ponto Foundation Music Prize, the Leonkoro Quartet has quickly emerged as one of the most compelling and acclaimed string quartets of its generation. With performances that marry breathtaking precision with unrestrained emotional depth, this dynamic ensemble captivates audiences and critics alike.
PROGRAM: “Role Models”
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Mendelssohn: String Quartet #2 in A minor, Op. 13
Intermission
Schubert: String Quartet in D minor, D. 810 “Death and the Maiden”
ABOUT THE LEONKORO QUARTET
Founded in Berlin in 2019, the Leonkoro Quartet has rapidly emerged as one of the most compelling ensembles of its generation. Comprising brothers Jonathan and Lukas Schwarz (violin and cello), Amelie Wallner (second violin), and Mayu Konoe (viola), the ensemble takes its name from Leonkoro—Esperanto for “lionheart”—a nod to Astrid Lindgren’s tale of brotherhood, courage, and emotional depth, themes that resonate deeply in the string quartet repertoire.
The quartet achieved international prominence in 2022 with a sweep of major competitions: First Prize and nine special awards at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition, First Prize plus both Audience and Young Audience Prizes at the Concours de Bordeaux, and the Jürgen Ponto Foundation Music Prize. They were named recipients of the MERITO String Quartet Award, selected after a year of discreet evaluation by renowned musicians, and joined the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists program (2022–2024).
Their success continued into 2024, receiving the Young Talent Award from the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and becoming Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award winners—further affirming their international standing. That same year, they launched a long-term recording partnership with Alpha Classics, following the acclaimed 2023 release of their debut album on Mirare, featuring quartets by Ravel and Schumann, honored with the Choc de Classica de l’année.
The ensemble has studied under Heime Müller and Günter Pichler, with mentorship from Alfred Brendel and members of the Artemis Quartet. Upcoming engagements include debuts at the Salzburg Festival, Philharmonie Luxembourg, Tonhalle Zurich, Bozar Brussels, and a major North American tour with performances in New York, Boston, Chicago, Montreal, Houston, and San Francisco.
The Leonkoro Quartet is a Pirastro Artist and Henle App Ambassador.
Jonathan Schwarz plays a violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini (1759/60) on generous loan through a trust. Amelie Wallner plays on a fine Giovanni Battista Guardagnini, generously loaned by the Beare’s International Violin Society. Mayu Konoe plays a viola by Lorenzo Storioni, kindly provided by a private sponsor. Lukas Schwarz plays a cello by Carlo Tononi, Venice (c. 1720) loaned by the Beare’s International Violin Society.
