James Ehnes
James Ehnes has established himself as one of the most sought-after violinists on the international stage.
Recent orchestral highlights include the National Arts Centre Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, London Philharmonic, Philharmonia, DSO Berlin, Pittsburgh Symphony, Orquesta Nacional de España, Orchestre symphonique de Montreal, and Toronto Symphony. His recital schedule includes regular appearances at the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, Symphony Center Chicago, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the White Nights Festival in St Petersburg, Verbier Festival, and the Festival de Pâques in Aix. In addition to his solo work, Ehnes is the Artistic Director of the Seattle Chamber Music Society and first violinist of the Ehnes Quartet, which he established in 2010.
Ehnes has an extensive discography and has won many awards for his recordings including 2 GRAMMY awards, a Gramophone award, and 11 Juno awards. Recent releases include the complete Beethoven Sonatas with pianist Andrew Armstrong, concerti by Kernis, Howard, Strauss, and Beethoven, and four volumes of Beethoven string quartets with the Ehnes Quartet. In 2021, he was named Gramophone’s Artist of the Year.
Ehnes began violin studies at the age of five and became a protégé of the noted Canadian violinist Francis Chaplin. He continued his studies with Sally Thomas at the Meadowmount School of Music and The Juilliard School, winning the Peter Mennin Prize for Outstanding Achievement and Leadership in Music upon his graduation in 1997. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a member of both the Order of Manitoba and the Order of Canada.
Ehnes plays the “Marsick” Stradivarius of 1715.