Leonard Elschenbroich - Biography

Leonard Elschenbroich received support from BBT between 2008 and 2011. For an up to date biography visit jamesbrownmanagement.com

A musician of great technical prowess, intellectual curiosity and expressive depth

New York Times

Cellist Leonard Elschenbroich performs as a soloist with the world’s leading orchestras. He gave his Vienna Musikverein debut on a European Tour with the Staatskapelle Dresden, his US debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, his Asian debut at Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and appears regularly at the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms.

A committed performer of contemporary music, Elschenbroich has commissioned several new works from composers including Mark-Anthony Turnage, Luca Lombardi, Arlene Sierra and Suzanne Farrin. He gave the world première of Mark Simpson’s Cello Concerto with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under Juanjo Mena, and Brian Elias’ Cello Concerto with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Ryan Wigglesworth at the BBC Proms.

In 2012 he co-founded the Orquesta Filarmonica de Bolivia, the first orchestra to perform a Mahler Symphony in the nation’s history. Elschenbroich returns to Bolivia on a regular basis to lead educational projects and develop the orchestra. This commitment led Elschenbroich to explore the field of conducting with various orchestras across Latin America and the UK. He gave his London conducting debut, leading The Daily Telegraph to write “Elschenbroich gave a performance of Brahms’ First Symphony that at times touched the heights.”

His many awards include the Leonard Bernstein Award, Förderpreis Deutschlandfunk and a 2008 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship. In 2012 he became a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist.

Last updated: October 2018

The Borletti-Buitoni Trust seemed too good to be true when I was told about it by other musicians and read about it on the internet. I was lucky to receive the BBT fellowship last year and have already made so much of it! I have spent a part of the grant on making a website, which was a very creative and ongoing process for which I am still receiving support and guidance by the BBT. The other main thing is that I have been able to contribute a part of the cost towards a great bow by Jean “Grand” Adam from 1850. I had a sponsor taking care of a large part of the cost but without the grant from the BB Trust I would not be playing it today! I am so honoured to be a part of this alumni of musicians and I know I always have someone to approach and to receive advice and guidance. With endless thanks to the incredible generosity of Ilaria and Franco Borletti-Buitoni, and the BBT-team.

Photographs by Felix Broede, Kaupo Kikkas