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The Bob Christensen Chair in Violin, Sponsored by Richard and
Luci Janssen
 Catherine
Leonard, “Ireland's leading violinist”(Irish Times) “is
a conspicuously gifted player.” (Santa Barbara News
Press)
"Leonard
has a dazzling energy and her commitment to each note is refreshingly
undaunted by technical obstacles. The faster and the more dangerous
the better.”(The Strad Magazine)
Following
a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States for three
years, Catherine completed her studies in Amsterdam in 1998. She
has won prizes at numerous international competitions and was
also awarded the use of a very valuable Guadagnini for three years
from a private foundation in the Netherlands.
In 1995 she
made her recital debut in the National Concert Hall in Dublin
- and a varied and exciting career was launched.
Catherine
has gained acclaim as a deeply personal performer with a wide-ranging
repertoire. She is a regular guest at Ireland’s most prominent
festivals and recital series, including the “West Cork Chamber
Music Festival” and “Music in Great Irish Houses”.
She has made repeat appearances at the Prussia Cove Open Chamber
Music Seminar, the Perth (Australia) International Chamber Music
Festival, the City of London Chamber Music Festival, the Concertgebouw
in Amsterdam and the Wigmore Hall in London.
An advocate
of contemporary Irish composers, Catherine is a particular champion
of the music of Ian Wilson. He wrote his 'Messenger' Concerto
for her in 2001. In April 2008 she presented a newly commissioned
chamber version of this work with Camerata Pacifica in venues
in America, Ireland and the UK, including the Library of Congress,
The Morgan Library in New York and London’s Wigmore Hall.
She has recorded a CD of Wilson's music with regular piano collaborator
Hugh Tinney. “These are exemplary performances from Hugh
Tinney and Catherine Leonard, vividly recorded in the composer's
presence ... well worth hunting down...” (Gramophone
Magazine)
The duo's
RTE Lyric disc of Beethoven Sonatas has been received to great
acclaim both at home and abroad. “Two of Ireland's greatest
instrumentalists take us on a journey into Beethoven's poetic
and dramatic genius in violin and piano. Powerful and dynamic
interpretation in the first movement of the Kreutzer Sonata is
carefully balanced with poignant, almost vulnerable playing in
its slow movement. There are moments of freshness inspired by
familiarity and frequent performance together, each player's virtuosity
sparkling.” (The Sunday Tribune) In the coming months
Catherine and Hugh will embark on another recital tour of Ireland
in preparation for their performances of all the ten Beethoven
Sonatas over the next three years.
In June 2010,
Catherine performed with the renowned Nash Ensemble in the Wigmore
Hall and will record with them in Fall 2010 for a project of the
music of British composer Hugh Watkins. In August 2010, she performed
as soloist for Kenneth Montgomery's final concert as principal
conductor of the BBC Ulster Orchestra: a programme which included
the two Beethoven Romances and a concerto premiere by a less well-known
20th century composer, Ina Boyle. This was recorded live for BBC
Radio 3.
Catherine will be on this side of the world again to join artistic
director and violinist Daniel Hope at the Savannah International
Music Festival in Spring 2011.
Further ahead, in Autumn 2011, Catherine will return home to
the National Concert Hall in Dublin to play the third violin concerto
of Ian Wilson with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, alongside
Beethoven's majestic Violin Concerto.
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