The Leonkoro Quartet, founded in Berlin in 2019 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.
In 2022, Leonkoro Quartet garnered a series of prestigious accolades. They were bestowed with the highly prestigious Jürgen Ponto Foundation Music Prize and subsequently triumphed at the International String Quartet Competition held at London's Wigmore Hall, earning 1st prize and a collection of nine special awards, including interpretations, residencies, and concert prizes.
Continuing their triumphant journey, the Quartet seized First Prize at the Concours International de Quatuor à Bordeaux and shortly thereafter they were invited to join the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists program, where they participated from 2022 to 2024.
November 2022 witnessed yet another remarkable achievement for the quartet when they were bestowed with the MERITO String Quartet Award. The series of accolades continued in Spring 2024: in March, the Quartet received the Young Talent Award of the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and shortly thereafter, followed the announcement as Borletti-Buitoni Trust award winners.
In Fall 2023, Mirare released the ensemble's first album featuring Maurice Ravel's String Quartet and Robert Schumann's String Quartet Op. 41 No. 3, which was crowned with the Choc de Classica l'année 2023 just a few weeks later.
The four musicians celebrated many triumphant debuts in major international concert series and festivals last season. More will follow this season, including at the Salzburg Festival, the Philharmonie Luxembourg, the Liederhalle Stuttgart, the Tonhalle Zurich, the Bozar Brussels and the Konzerthaus Dortmund. In addition, the Quartet tours North America for the first time with concerts in New York City, Boston, Montreal, Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco, just to name a few.
The Leonkoro Quartet represents Pirastro as Pirastro Artists and serves as Henle App Ambassadors.
Jonathan plays a fine JB Guadagnini violin on generous loan through the Beares International Violin Society.
Amelie Wallner plays a Vicenzo Postiglione violin, generously provided by a private donor.
Mayu Konoe plays a viola by Lorenzo Storioni, kindly provided by a private sponsor.
Lukas Schwarz plays a cello by Carlo Tononi, Venice (approx. 1720) loaned by the Beares International Violin Society.