Japanese violinist Emiri Kakiuchi succeeds Amelie Wallner in the Berlin-based quartet
The Leonkoro Quartet has announced that Japanese violinist Emiri Kakiuchi has joined the group as its new second violinist. Kakiuchi replaces Amelie Wallner and joins current members violinist Jonathan Schwarz, violist Mayu Konoe and cellist Lukas Schwarz.
The quartet released a statement regarding the change of personnel: ’After five unforgettable years, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our dear second violinist Amelie Wallner, who is leaving the quartet.
’It has been an extraordinary journey growing and shaping this ensemble together, filled with inspiring moments and musical discoveries. We are deeply grateful for everything she has contributed, both on and off the stage, and we wish her nothing but the very best for her future.
’At the same time, we are delighted and thankful to welcome Emiri Kakiuchi as the new second violinist in our ensemble. Not only is she an outstanding violinist, she also brings with her a spirit, set of values, and deep passion for the String Quartet that resonate completely with our own.
‘We feel incredibly fortunate to begin this new chapter together and look forward to everything that lies ahead’
Born in 2006, Kakiuchi studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School under Akiko Ono and Tereza Privratska and now continues her musical education at the Berlin University of the Arts with professors Nora Chastain, Victoria Wong, and Vineta Sareika.
She was the youngest participant to win second prize and three special awards at the 42nd Rodolfo Lipizer International Violin Competition and also received second prize at the Grumiaux International Violin Competition, was a finalist at the Louis Spohr Competition, and won fourth prize at the 93rd Japan Music Competition.
Kakiuchi performs frequently with her brother, violinist Kyota Kakiuchi, as the Emiri & Kyota Violin Duo. She is a 2025 scholarship recipient of the Yamaha Music Support Program and performs on a 1725 Santo Serafin violin.
The Leonkoro Quartet received numerous awards and prizes between 2022 and 2025, including the Jürgen Ponto Foundation Music Prize and victories at the Wigmore Hall and Bordeaux international string quartet competitions.
The ensemble was selected for the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme and has been recipient of the Merito String Quartet Award, Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, Tiemann Ensemble Prize of the Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Lotto Sponsorship Prize of the Rheingau Music Festival.
The quartet’s upcoming album Out of Vienna will be released on Alpha Classics on 23 January 2026.
Read: ‘We want to learn everything’ - Leonkoro Quartet
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