Dr. Lecuona is a tenured associate professor of piano at the University of Iowa. A devoted teacher, Réne has prepared students for admission and scholarship in performance programs at prestigious institutions such as the New England Conservatory, the University of Michigan, Florida State University, the Manhattan School of Music, the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, Peabody Conservatory, and Aspen Music Festival. Her former students hold teaching posts in Germany and Brazil as well as in the U.S.

Dr. Lecuona has performed throughout South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United States. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in Weill Recital Hall with mezzo-soprano Katherine Eberle and in the Goodman Hall at Lincoln Center with soprano Rachel Joselson. Her playing has been featured on many compact discs, including a recording of the music of Margaret Brouwer (CRI label), which won the 2000 Contemporary Art Music Burton Award. She may be heard on Centaur Records, Innova Recordings, Capstone Records, Cybele Recording, Albany Records, and Composers Recordings International.

Réne Lecuona earned a doctor of musical arts degree in piano performance and was awarded a performer’s certificate at the Eastman School of Music. She received undergraduate and master's degrees at the Indiana University School of Music. Her major teachers have included Menahem Pressler of the Beaux Arts Trio, the late György Sebök, Edward Auer, Shigeo Neriki, and Rebecca Penneys. Réne was raised in Corning, New York and studied piano for many years with Laurie Conrad of Ithaca, New York. She lives in Coralville, Iowa with her husband Andrew and their son Sebastian.

 

 

REVIEWS

 

American Record Guide, John Boyer March/April 2005 (The Songs of Arthur Honegger and Jacques Leguerney)

"The performers, both faculty members at the University of Iowa, make a very persuasive case for both composers."

 

Daily Iowan, Helen Chadima November 2004

"Lecuona's interpretation of Mozart was outstanding..."

 

Kölner Stadtanzeiger, February 2003 (Neue Kammermusik: Werke von Hans Gál)

Doch gelegentlich treten junge Interpreten auf den Plan, die nicht nur eine Marktlücke suchen, sondern denen diese Werke etwas sagen. So auch das Ensemble Annette-Barbara Vogel (Violine), Fulbert Slenczka (Violoncello) und Rene Lecuona (Klavier), denen die Einspielung der Sonaten für Violine bzw. Violoncello und Klavier (op. 17 und 89) zu danken ist.

"However, once in a while, young performers can be found on a program who aren’t only seeking a gap in the market, but for whom these works truly have something to say. The ensemble Annette-Barbara Vogel (violin), Fulbert Slenczka (violoncello)[cello] und Rene Lecuona (piano) is such a group of performers, whom we are to thank for the recordings of the sonatas for violin or cello and piano (op.17 and 89)."

 

www.klassik.com, Tobias Blum January 2003 (Neue Kammermusik: Werke von Hans Gál)

Die CD ‘Neue Kammermusik: Werke von Hans Gál’, erschienen beim Cybele Label, enthält die ‘Sonate für Violine und Klavier Op. 17’ (1920) und die ‘Sonate für Cello und Klavier Op. 89’ (1954). Eingespielt wurde sie von Annette Barbara-Vogel an der Geige, Fulbert Slenczka am Cello und Réne Lecuona am Klavier, die allesamt auf höchst imposante Backgrounds zurückblicken können und auch hier ihre Aufgabe blendend meistern... Das alles ist Kammermusik wie sie besser nicht sein könnte. Gleichzeitig werden große Stimmungen erzeugt und intime Atmosphären geschaffen, die auch aufgrund der formidablen Umsetzung seitens der Instrumentalisten den Soundtrack für einen ungeheuer spannenden, mentalen Film liefern... Die Instrumente beziehen Spannung weniger aus einem Gegeneinander als aus einem Miteinander, was vom harmonischen, präzisen Spiel Slenczkas und Lecuonas gut repräsentiert wird. Die Kontraste scheinen mehr ineinander verwoben, wobei Grundstimmung, Aufbau und Konzept im Vergleich zur ersten Sonate ähnlich sind.

"The CD “New Chamber Music: Works by Hans Gál” appeared on the Cybele Label, and contains the ‘Sonata for Violin und Piano Op. 17’ (1920) and the ‘Sonata for Cello und Klavier Op. 89’ (1954). The CD was recorded by Annette Barbara-Vogel (violin), Fulbert Slenczka (Cello) und Réne Lecuona (piano). All of these performers have impressive musical backgrounds, and here, they have demonstrated their mastery... All of this is chamber music at its best. Simultaneously, expansive moods are evoked while intimate atmospheres are created; it is as if an incredibly exciting soundtrack for a mental film is projected to the listener by [the formidable ability of the intrumentalists... The instruments gather their momentum[ create tension ]less from their opposition, and more from their cooperation. Slenczka and Lecuona play in such a harmonic and precise manner that this [the] cooperation between instruments is well represented. The contrasts appear to be more interwoven, whereby the fundamental mood, construction, and concepts are similar to those of the first sonata."

 

Classical New Jersey, David Laviska April 2002

"Miss Lecuona provided a detailed, richly textured accompaniment, beautifully melding with the singer...Miss Lecuona played quite beautifully throughout this group. Her phrasing was natural, without exaggeration, and she easily handled all of Honegger's considerable technical demands. As with the first half of the recital, she proved to be a superb partner to Miss Joselson."

 

Strad, David Heyes May 1998 (Lady Bass)

"Bottesini's Romanza Patetica and Carival of Venice Variations allow the soloist to shine, but relegate the poor old pianist to the role of accompanist. Rene Lecuona, however, is sensitive and supportive, proving an excellent partner throughout."

 

Bass World, David Murray Vol. XXII No. 2 (Lady Bass)

"As throughout the entire album, Lecuona's performance is magnificent and a great partner to Gannett."