The Leonkoro Quartet is a string quartet, formed in 2019 and based in Berlin, Germany.[1]

In April 2022, the quartet won first prize[2][3] and no less than 9 of the special prizes at the prestigious Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition[4] in London, despite being the youngest quartet competing, with an average age of just 24.[1] They followed this in May by winning the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition,[5] also winning the Audience Prize. They also won a number of competition prizes prior to these successes. In November 2022 they received the MERITO Award based on quality of public performances over the year.[6][7]

The ensemble takes its name from the Esperanto words for 'lion' and 'heart'. They are part of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme for 2022-4.[8] Unusually, they perform standing up, apart from the cellist.

Members

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The members are:[7]

  • Jonathan Schwarz, first violin
  • Amelie Wallner, second violin
  • Mayu Konoe, viola
  • Lukas Schwarz, violoncello.

References

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  1. ^ a b 2022 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition; programme and notes.
  2. ^ "2022 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition". Wigmore Hall. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  3. ^ "The Leonkoro Quartet triumph at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition". Gramophone. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition". Wigmore Hall. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Quatuors à Bordeaux: competition & festival 2022". Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition and Festival. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Leonkoro Quartet wins 2022 Merito String Quartet award/15620.article". The Strad. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  7. ^ a b Official website - https://leonkoroquartet.com/en/bio
  8. ^ "BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists/15620.article". BBC. Retrieved 9 September 2023.