Hubert Léonard

Leonard studied the violin with his father, with Rouma, who had studied with Pieltain, Prume, at the Brussels Conservatory, and Habeneck at the Paris Conservatoire. Leonard performed in numerous and prestigious places including the Liege Theatre, the Theatre des Varietes, the Opera-Comique and the Academie Royale de Musique. In Paris he was able to found himself as a virtuoso violinist, and established the practice of playing chamber music, composing and teaching. Leonard demonstrated excellent intonation in his playing, a fine vocal tone in his singing and the "sine qua non" of elegance specifically suited for chamber music. He advocated the musical compositions of Brahms, Saint-Saens, Faure, Lalo and d'Indy. Unfortunately, much of his music has not survived primarily due to a lack of unique qualities. Pedagogically his methodologies were unsurpassed during his time making him one of the outstanding teachers of the nineteenth century. ~ Keith Johnson