Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

January 27, 1976 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

James Ehnes is a renowned Canadian violinist who has established himself as one of the most versatile and accomplished musicians of his generation. Born on January 27, 1976, in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, Ehnes showed an early interest in music and began playing the violin at the age of four. He was a prodigious talent and quickly gained recognition for his exceptional musical abilities. Ehnes received his early training from Francis Chaplin, a renowned violin teacher in Brandon. He later studied with Sally Thomas at the Meadowmount School of Music in New York and with Dorothy DeLay at the Juilliard School. Ehnes also received guidance from renowned violinists such as Isaac Stern, Pinchas Zukerman, and Itzhak Perlman. Ehnes made his professional debut at the age of 13 with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. He quickly gained a reputation as a rising star in the classical music world and began performing with major orchestras around the world. One of the highlights of Ehnes' career was his performance of the Barber Violin Concerto with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1995. The performance was widely praised by critics and established Ehnes as a major talent in the classical music world. He went on to perform with many other major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Ehnes has also established himself as a chamber musician, performing with some of the world's leading musicians. He has collaborated with pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and violist Tabea Zimmermann, among others. Ehnes is a founding member of the Ehnes Quartet, which has gained critical acclaim for its performances of works by Beethoven, Schubert, and other composers. In addition to his performances, Ehnes is also a prolific recording artist. He has recorded over 40 albums, including works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. His recordings have received numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (with Orchestra) for his recording of the Korngold Violin Concerto with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Ehnes has received many other awards and honors throughout his career. In 2005, he was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honors, for his contributions to Canadian culture. He has also received the Royal Philharmonic Society Instrumentalist Award, the Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the Virginia Parker Prize, among others. Despite his many accomplishments, Ehnes remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform and record regularly, and is committed to sharing his love of music with audiences around the world. His passion for music and his exceptional talent have made him one of the most respected and admired musicians of his generation.

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