The Leonkoro Quartet is fast becoming one of the most in-demand ensembles in the chamber music scene. Comprised of Jonathan Schwarz, Amelie Wallner, Mayu Konoe and Lukas Schwarz, all of its members have been beneficiaries of Beare’s Society support. Now, Lukas has received a Tononi cello on loan through the society from generous donors.
Lukas said,
“The loan of a magnificent Tononi cello through the generous Beare’s International Violin Society has positively influenced my ability to contribute to our string quartet’s sound in a way I never imagined possible. Finding an instrument that enriches the sound of such a delicate ensemble as a string quartet is a genuine challenge – the Beare’s Society helped me discover a cello with an exceptional quartet history, having previously been played by the renowned Quatuor Ébène.
All four members of our quartet play or have played instruments loaned by the Beare’s Society, and we are immensely grateful for their support, since the significance of finding the right instrument is essential for our career in the classical music world.”
Jonathan, after a period of Society support, has now had an instrument he discovered at Beare’s bought for him from a trust that has supported a number of world-leading artists over the past 20 years. He said,
“Through our concerts at Wigmore Hall in London, we as a quartet were, of course, very interested in visiting the Beares violin shop and trying out their many wonderful instruments. After Steven and So-Ock had heard us perform several times, they generously offered us the opportunity to play instruments from their Violin Society.This was an incredible stroke of luck for us. Over the past two years, whenever I was in London, I would stop by Queen Anne Street to see if there was something suitable. Several times, I was able to borrow and try out different instruments. It wasn’t just about finding something that I liked—it also had to fit the quartet.Now, I am absolutely thrilled to have found a fantastic Guadagnini violin, which is being made available to me long-term through generous sponsors. I feel so relieved and grateful to call this violin my partner.“
