Leo Strelle
Violinist | Arranger | Composer
For Leo Strelle, the violin is not merely an instrument but a vessel of pure joy, transcending any notion of challenge. Steeped in a polyglot heritage and nurtured within a family of professional musicians — his father, a cantor, and his mother, a pianist — music has always been his sanctuary. By six, he was charming audiences with encores at his mother’s recitals, and by twelve, he made his solo debut alongside her, performing Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Violin, Piano, and Orchestra with the Amaretti Chamber Orchestra.
Leo’s technique is an intricate tapestry woven from various schools of violin mastery. His initial tutelage under Savelij Markovich Shalman evolved under the mentorship of Prof. Sebastian Müller at Chetham’s School of Music, where he also delved into composition with Dr. Jeremy Pike and excelled in chamber music, triumphing at the Fiona Ord String Chamber Music Competition. His artistic journey continued at the HfMT Hamburg with Prof. Tanja Becker-Bender, and he further refined his compositional voice with Prof. Fredrik Schwenk, premiering his String Trio No. 2 with the Strelle Strings in a 2022 concert series.
Throughout his career, Leo has garnered first prizes in numerous national and international competitions, most recently in the solo and chamber music categories at the 12th Concorso Internationale: Giovani Musicisti in Treviso. His recitals grace esteemed venues across Europe and Asia, such as the Elbphilharmonie, Laeiszhalle, Bridgewater Hall, St. Petersbourg, Shanghai, and he is a regular guest at the Bristol Music Hall. As a soloist, he has collaborated with orchestras including Oslo’s NMH Symphony Orchestra, Abington Symphony Orchestra, Virtuoso Violin Festival Orchestra, Sydcup Symphony Orchestra, White Rose Symphony Orchestra, HfMT Barockorchester, performing concertos by Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Vieuxtemps, Vivaldi, Johann Ernst, and Bach. His participation in music festivals and summer courses, notably as the executive director of the Burgos International Musik Festival, further underscores his influence. His debut CD, recorded in Treviso, features the F-A-E Sonata and Tartini’s Violin Sonata in G Minor.
Leo's contributions to the music world resonate deeply, inspiring both peers and audiences. Through concert organization and collaborative projects, he cultivates a vibrant community of musicians, encouraging the exploration and sharing of musical passion. Critics consistently laud his performances for their technical brilliance and expressive artistry. George Caird, an adjudicator at the Abingdon Music Festival Concerto Competition, praised his Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto performance, noting its "effortless technical command, expressive lines, and natural musicianship." Similarly, Andrew Sherwood, adjudicator of Springboard, commended his rendition of Ravel's Tzigane for its authentic "gypsy, carefree, and improvisational feel."
Leo’s versatility extends beyond the classical genre. He has ventured into eclectic projects such as the theatrical production "Das koschere Himmel," blending violin performance with acting. His innovative interpretation of Szymanovsky’s "Myths" as film music premiered at Koki Cinema in Lübeck and was later performed live at the Elbphilharmonie. His commitment to voluntary work includes his participation with the Büyükada Concert Ensemble in collaboration with the Turkish National Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
Passionate about his unique musical interpretations, Leo believes each performance should reflect his distinct artistic vision. His profound analysis of new works fuels his creative drive. As a dedicated teacher, Leo inspires his students to discover their own artistic voices, emphasizing the importance of individual expression and audience engagement. He strives to blend traditional music with contemporary genres, aiming to create a rich, diverse musical experience in both his compositions and performances.
Leo served as concertmaster at the Ligeti Festival in Hamburg, also performing Ligeti’s 1st String Quartet with the Strelle Strings, a performance that received critical acclaim and was featured in HfMT Hamburg’s newspaper, Zwölf.
Leo completed his Bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from HfMT Hamburg in 2024 and is currently pursuing his Master's degree with Prof. Breuninger in Germany. Beyond music, he enjoys rowing and chess. He performs on a violin by Curt Jung and a bow by Dirk Löscher, both on loan courtesy of Dr. Peter Hauber.