Latest News from Beare's Society Artists

Performances, recordings and more

Wigmore Hall Associate Artist

Leonkoro Quartet

Since their founding in 2019, the Leonkoro Quartet has quickly emerged as one of the new bright lights on the chamber music scene. Comprised of Jonathan Schwarz, Emiri Kakiuchi, Mayu Konoe and Lukas Schwarz, all of its members have been past beneficiaries of Beare’s Society support. Currently, Lukas plays on a cello through the Society, remarking “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.“

The ensemble have now been announced as Wigmore Hall Associate Artists for the 2026/27 season, with several performances planned at the historic venue in the year ahead.

BBC Music Magazine Award Winner

Timothy Ridout

Long-standing Beare’s Society artist Timothy Ridout continues to make his mark as one of the great violists active today.

Following his appearances at the Beare’s Chamber Music Festival in London in December 2025 (“Was this the best concert I saw in 2025?” – The Times), and the Beare’s Premiere Music Festival in Hong Kong in January 2026, he has now been announced as another of Wigmore Hall’s Associate Artists for 2026/27, joining the Beare’s Society artists in the Leonkoro Quartet.

His acclaimed latest solo album, comprising works by Telemann, Bach, Britten and Caroline Shaw, was recognised at the BBC Music Magazine Awards, winning in the Instrumental Category.

Classic FM Rising Stars

Petar Pejčić

Cellist Petar Pejčić received recognition from Classic FM as Rising Stars for 2026. The radio station announced 30 influential musicians under 30 years of age who are shaping the future of classical music, a list which includes Beare’s Society alumni Braimah Kanneh-Mason and Charlie Lovell-Jones.

Petar has had a vibrant international career since being announced as a YCAT Artist in 2025. Celebrated for his “compelling sense of storytelling“, he plays a Giuseppe ‘filius Andreae’ Guarneri on loan through the Beare’s Society.

Competition Winners

Jenny Hyeonjeong Lee | Sofia Demetriades

Two Beare’s Society artists saw success in competitions this spring.

Young violinist Jenny Hyeonjeong Lee won First Prize at the Munetsugu Competition, playing on a Guadagnini through the Society for her performances at the contest.

In the UK, Sofia Demetriades won the Haslemere International Violin Competition and the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Young Soloist competition. Sofia also receives support through the J & A Beare Cultural Trust, having been a regular participant of the Trust’s specialist chamber music programme.

Society artists at the BBC Proms

This Summer

This summer’s BBC Proms feature solo appearances from a number of Beare’s Society artists past and present.

Sueye Park plays Sibelius’ Violin Concerto with the BBC Philharmonic under John Storgårds (21 Jul), before Guy Johnston takes to the Royal Albert Hall stage for Britten’s Cello Symphony with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Sakari Oramo (28 Jul).

Alena Baeva performs Korngold’s sumptuous Violin Concerto with the BBCSSO and Delyana Lazarova (30 Jul), and Vilde Frang joins Esa-Pekka Salonen and the combined orchestras of the Royal Academy of Music and Juilliard School for Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto (10 Aug).

Cellist Pablo Ferrández plays Elgar’s Concerto with the RPO and Vasily Petrenko (16 Aug), violinist Simone Lamsma takes on Britten’s Violin Concerto with the RLPO and Andrew Manze (4 Sep). Sheku Kanneh-Mason joins Jess Gillam and Ben Goldscheider for the world premiere of Gwilym Simcock’s Triple Concerto for Soprano Saxophone, Horn and Cello.