The Next Generation: Leonhard Baumgartner
Images: Courtesy of the Artist
April 9, 2026 | 6:30 PM
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
Join us for an exceptional evening as we present the remarkable young violinist Leonhard Baumgartner, Winner of the Eurovision Young Musicians Competition (2024), joined by distinguished pianist Eri Kang. Despite his young age, Baumgartner has already established himself as an artist of striking maturity, technical brilliance, and compelling stage presence: Qualities that mark him as one of the most promising violinists of his generation.
About the Concert
The program reflects both virtuosity and depth, opening with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonata in D major, Op. 12 No. 1 – a work that demands classical clarity and expressive nuance. The elegance of Fritz Kreisler’s Rondino on a Theme by Beethoven highlights Baumgartner’s stylistic versatility and refined tone. A rare centerpiece of the evening is the Sonata “Au tombeau” by Pietro Locatelli, completed and arranged by Eugène Ysaÿe, a work of dramatic intensity and virtuosic brilliance. With the contemporary Cadenza by Austrian composer Johanna Doderer, Baumgartner bridges tradition and the music of our time. The recital concludes with works by Robert Schumann, including the poetic Intermezzo from the F.A.E. Sonata and the sweeping Fantaisie in C major, Op. 131 in Kreisler’s arrangement.
About the Artists
Leonhard Baumgartner
Born in Vienna in 2007, Leonhard Baumgartner gained international recognition after winning the Eurovision Young Musicians Competition in 2024, making his debut with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Eivind Aadland. He is also a laureate of numerous other prestigious awards, including First Prize at the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition (2022), First Prize and the Special Prize at the Ilona Fehér International Violin Competition, the Discovery Award at the International Classical Music Awards (2023), and the First and Audience Prizes at the Osaka International Music Competition (2024). He made his orchestral debut at the age of 15 with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at the Wiener Konzerthaus. Since then, Leonhard has appeared as a soloist with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the NFM Philharmonic Wrocław, the Berliner Baroque Soloists, the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra, the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.
He was chosen for the world premiere and recording of a newly discovered work by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, released by Deutsche Grammophon. The project became one of the most celebrated classical launches of 2024. The Stretton Trio: Leonhard recently recorded Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 and Maurice Ravel’s Piano Trio for Bayerischer Rundfunk, together with Alexander Warenberg (ARD Competition laureate, cello) and Nikola Meeuwsen (winner of the 2025 Queen Elisabeth Competition, piano). The trio will continue to perform and play at festivals in the upcoming seasons. He is a selected artist of the Stretton Excellence Mentorship Program, where he is mentored by Vilde Frang. His participation is generously supported by the Nina Gscheider & Florian Schwarz Scholarship of the Stretton Society. He is also a scholarship holder of the Music Academy Liechtenstein and was invited to Kronberg’s Chamber Music Connects the World festival, where he performed alongside Gidon Kremer. Leonhard studied with Dora Schwarzberg in Vienna and Ingolf Turban in Munich, and has received additional guidance from Leonidas Kavakos and Ana Chumachenco. Highlights of the current season include Brahms’ Violin Concerto at the Musikverein Vienna and with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, as well as Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the Munich Symphony Orchestra at the Isarphilharmonie and Bruch’s Violin Concerto with the Mozarteumorchester Salzburg. The 2026 season culminates in Leonhard’s first tour to Australia, featuring his debut performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Leonhard plays a fine violin by Antonio Stradivari, Cremona 1683, known as the “ex Petherick”, a generous loan from a member of the Stretton Society.
Eri Kang
Japanese-born Korean American pianist Eri Kang has captivated audiences around the world with her tonal beauty and compelling musicality. A versatile soloist, collaborative pianist, and chamber musician, Ms. Kang has performed at New York City’s premier venues, including Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, Zankel Hall and Weill Recital Halls, as well as David Geffen Hall and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Her performances extend globally, with appearances across Europe, Asia, the United States, and South America.
Ms. Kang has recently collaborated with violinist Gil Shaham, performing at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, David Geffen Hall, and other distinguished venues. Her artistry has received acclaim in major publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Strad Magazine, and Strings Magazine, and she has been featured on NPR, WQXR, WNCN and at numerous music festivals.
Ms. Kang holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Toho School of Music and a Master’s degree from The Juilliard School, where she studied piano under Martin Canin and Satoko Tokumaru and chamber music with Felix Galimir. Her expertise in piano and string repertoire was honed through years working with Juilliard’s renowned faculties, including Dorothy DeLay.
An official pianist for prestigious violin and string competitions, Ms. Kang has served at the Sion Valais International Competition in Switzerland, the Buenos Aires International Violin Competition, and Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition. She is currently a faculty member at Brooklyn College, City University of New York.